persuasive speech activities for high school

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44 Persuasive Speaking: Activities and Resources

Discussion and activities.

Watch this clip from The King’s Speech where the new king makes his first wartime radio broadcast of Britians’ s declaration of war on Germany in 1939. This movie is a dramatic interpretation of the true story of the future King George VI who worked to overcome a stammer. (Make note of how he has marked the manuscript that he reads from at 1:17-1:21).

Corporate Story Telling Activity

Watch the Charity Water Story before class and discuss these questions in class.

Do you think this model of corporate storytelling is more effective than the traditional model of listing mission and vision on the website?
Ethos. How does he build personal credibility? How about credibility for the organization?
Pathos. List some of the emotional appeals? Were they effective, why or why not? Were they ethical, why or why not?
Logos. List the ways he used logic (facts, data, charts). Which was the most effective for you?
Were you persuaded? If so at what point did you become persuaded?
How does he tie the opening and the closing?
How does he “ask for the sale”? Write out some of his phrases.
What are some of the ways, that he reengages the audience to make them see they are part of the speech?
How does he use inoculation (help people overcome objections that people may be thinking)?
When my husband watched this, he said, “I could feel myself being persuaded and could tell where they were headed with it, so I had to stop watching it.” When do you physically or mentally “stop watching”? How can a speaker keep their audience?
What organizational pattern does this fit? Map it out.
Is this an example of public speaking? Explain your answer.

Persuasive Speaking on Gun Control

Days after a gunman entered her school and killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Emma Gonzalez, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, addressed a gun control rally on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

What does she say to connect to her audience? Who is her target audience? Who is the secondary audience, how can you tell?
Logos: How does she break down numbers so the audience can relate?
Pathos: Clearly, this is an emotional speech, how does that emotion affect you–persuasive or too much?
Ethos: How does she build her credibility?
Find where she repeats the same phrase over and over, is this effective, why or why not?

Charron Heston is a longtime NRA Advocate. One type of persuasive speech is not to change the minds of an audience but to “rally the troops” to make them support their cause even more.

How does he connect to his audience?
Colorful Language: He uses a lot of alliterations (repeat the same letter), make a list of all the alliterations. Do you think they were effective for this type of speech? Why or why not.
Colorful language: How does he use personification (giving inanimate objects life like characteristics like that of a person.) Do you think they were effective for this type of speech? Why or why not.
Colorful language: He has several examples of antithesis (pairing or opposites in parallel phrases –one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind). Make a list of them and discuss their effectiveness.
What do you think about his choice of prop and the timing of the prop?
In the end, he uses the line, “From my cold dead hands.” Look up the history of the phrase and how it was used after this speech. What is your opinion of this as a final persuasive statement?

Halberg, S. (2015). Reversing Type 2 diabetes starts with ignoring the guidelines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da1vvigy5tQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5z3zWJIthI&t=1s

Freedom in Thought (2018). The three methods of persuasion: Rhetoric-Aristotle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5z3zWJIthI&t=1s

Langston, C. (2016). How to use rhetoric to get what you want. https://www.ted.com/talks/camille_langston_how_to_use_rhetoric_to_get_what_you_want

Ulmer, K. (2016). The three persuasive appeal: Logos, ethos, pathos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oUfOh_CgHQ

Schoder, W. (2017). Mr. Rogers and the power of persuasion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DGdDQrXv5U .

About three and a half years ago, I made a discovery. And this discovery profoundly changed my view on how I thought the world worked, and it even profoundly changed the way in which I operate in it. As it turns out, there’s a pattern. As it turns out, all the great inspiring leaders and organizations in the world, whether it’s Apple or Martin Luther King or the Wright brothers, they all think, act and communicate the exact same way. And it’s the complete opposite to everyone else. All I did was codify it, and it’s probably the world’s simplest idea. I call it the golden circle.

Sinek, S. (2009). How great leaders inspire action. https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?language=en Standard YouTube License.

For information on Values to consider different types of purchasers…

Strategic Business Insights. The US Vals Survey. http://www.strategicbusinessinsights.com/vals/presurvey.shtml

Stick to your strong arguments, because your arguments don’t add up in the minds of the receiver, they average out. The most robust psychological explanation for this is one of averaging. In this model, we take in information, and those information are afforded a weighted score. And our minds do not add those pieces of information, but rather average those pieces of information. So when you introduce irrelevant or even weak arguments, those weak arguments, if you will, reduce the weight of your overall argument. Niro Sivanathan

Sivanathan, N. (2019). The counterintuitive way to be more persuasive. https://www.ted.com/talks/niro_sivanathan_the_counterintuitive_way_to_be_more_persuasive. Standard YouTube License.

In an article by Steve Booth-Butterfield, entitled Inoculation Theory. Ouch! But It’s Food for you or the Best Defense is Bad Offense, he gave this example:

You might recall the infamous “woman” problem of President Bill Clinton (1992-2000). What you may not remember is that this problem popped up during the Presidential primaries held over the winter of 1991-92. A former amorous partner, Gennifer Flowers, scheduled a press conference declaring her adulterous relationship with the then Governor of Arkansas. The Clinton campaign got wind of this planned press conference by Ms. Flowers and on the Sunday night before that following Monday afternoon event, Bill and Hillary Clinton appeared on an episode of the popular TV news magazine show, “60 Minutes.” In it, the reporter directly asked about the “woman” problem and the Clintons, especially, Mrs. Clinton responded in a way that seemed to acknowledge past marital problems, but that these problems were way in the past, and that they were together in marriage as husband and wife.

This is an excellent practical application of inoculation. Before the “real” attack from Gennifer Flowers could occur, Mr. Clinton managed to produce a weak attack on voter attitudes about fidelity, marital privacy, and politics. The appearance on “60 Minutes” was their first large scale national appearance in the media, so many viewers were getting their first look at the Clintons. And, that first looking included a weak presentation of the “woman” problem and how the Clintons handled it.

When Gennifer Flowers came along the next day, not only was her press conference “old news” it was also inoculated news. People had already been attacked on their attitudes about Mr. Clinton’s character and alleged defects and they had already defended their attitudes on that issue. When Ms. Flowers came along, many people could easily defend their attitudes and beliefs about Mr. Clinton and just as easily discount Ms. Flowers’ claims as a tawdry and transparent attempt to gain her “fifteen minutes” of fame.

Booth-Butterfield, S. (n.d). Inoculation Theory. Ouch! But It’s Good For You or The Best Defense Is A Bad Offense. http://healthyinfluence.com/wordpress/steves-primer-of-practical-persuasion-3-0/feeling/inoculation/

“Not everybody believes in the possibility of political persuasion. Many people see political positions as expressions of innate personality traits – hard-wired into us either by our genes or by an irreversible process of socialization. Why should we waste time trying to be persuasive when people never really change their minds? This is a reasonable concern.

The idea that persuasion doesn’t work comes from a bad application of good science. A substantial body of research suggests that our political beliefs are shaped by more or less fixed psychological characteristics … Research like this, however, tells us about the difficulty of conversion, not persuasion. These are not the same things. We too often misrepresent the task of political persuasion by thinking of the most strident partisan we have ever encountered and imagined what it would take to turn that person into an equally strident partisan for the other side. This sort of Paul-on-the-Road-to-Damascus conversion rarely happens in politics. Most people don’t change their fundamental values, and if we expect them to, we are going to be very disappointed.

But we usually don’t need people to change their fundamental values in order to convince them to adopt a particular position. The fact that people have fundamental values makes it possible to persuade them by appealing to those values. But we have to find values that we really share.” ― Michael Austin, We Must Not Be Enemies: Restoring America’s Civic Tradition

Austin, M. (2019). We must not be enemies: Restoring America’s civic tradition . Rowman & Littlefield.

Since this is an advanced class, we are working on refining our skills. You should have learned the structure of an argument in basic communication already but I am providing a video refresher.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=syGLJy7jjsk%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26rel%3D0

Jenkinson, P. (2019). Toulmin Model. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syGLJy7jjsk Standard YouTube License.

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Teaching Argumentation and Persuasion: 6 Engaging Activities Beyond the Argumentative Essay

how to teach argumentation and persuasion

There are many engaging activities to use when teaching argumentation and persuasion beyond the classic essay. While the argumentative essay can certainly be effective, try something new with one of these 6 engaging activities. Your students will be excited and eager to apply argumentation and persuasion in the classroom and beyond.

When it comes to teaching argumentation and persuasion, I’m like a kid on Christmas morning. I’m eager, excited, and full of energy. Yet, over the years, I’ve found that my students don’t always meet me with the same enthusiasm. Instead, they roll their figurative eyes at the thought of writing yet another essay.

I had to do something to save my favorite holiday– I mean unit– of the year.

I’ve spent more hours than I’d like to admit, wracking my brain for activities that would make teaching argumentation and persuasion, dare I say, fun! But the time and effort paid off. When I started implementing activities beyond the argumentative essays, my students were engaged and active participants. It was a win-win.

Lucky for you, I’ve done the work (and put in the time) so you don’t have to. Instead, simply keep reading to uncover some of my secret weapons for teaching argumentation and persuasion. The following activities can be used instead of or in conjunction with the classic argumentative essay. It’s totally up to you and what will best suit your students’ needs. Regardless, you don’t have to spend the hours brainstorming from square one. You can thank me later. In the meantime, read on, my teacher friends!

Laying the Foundation for Teaching Argumentation and Persuasion

Before jumping into one of the activities below, you need to set your students up for success. Therefore, be sure to teach the essential concepts for effective argumentation and persuasion. Afterall, both argumentation and persuasion are cornerstone communication skills in the 21st century.

So, not only do you want to do these topics justice for the sake of your classroom. But, they’re also some of the most transferable skills your students will use in the real world.

Note: if you’re just looking for the activities, no problem! Keep scrolling– I promise they’re there.

Understanding the Difference Between Argumentation and Persuasion

While these two topics are often taught together, it’s important for students to know that they aren’t exactly synonyms. Instead, you could argue (see what I did there) these two concepts act as compliments to one another. In many cases, persuasion can strengthen an argument, and vice versa. But again, they’re not exactly the same when it comes to speaking or writing. (However, I find it useful to remind students of one of the most important aspects they do share: there has to be at least two sides.) You can clarify the major differences between the two by looking at the main goal for each type of writing or speech:

The goal of argumentative writing is to get the audience to acknowledge your stance on a topic. Moreover, a strong argument shows the reader your viewpoint is valid and deserves consideration. Therefore, argumentative writing is heavily rooted in logic and facts and addressed counterclaims.
Goal of persuasive writing is to get the audience to agree with you and your stance on a particular topic or viewpoint. While logic most certainly strengthens persuasion, there is also a heavy emphasis on emotional elements as well.

The truth is, the two are often used hand in hand in the real world with everything from marketing and public service campaigns to politics and law. And, in most cases, persuasive writing is more personal and passionate for students. Therefore, I strive to teach the two together to increase student engagement and real word application. Talk about a dream duo for students and teachers alike!

Rhetoric and Rhetorical Appeals

I absolutely love comparing persuasion and argumentation to art. Why? Because it’s a true craft. Do I explain it that way to my students? Abso-freakin-lutely. Why? Because they need to understand that presenting a sound and persuasive argument is a skill. That these writing and speaking skills take time and effort to develop.

Enter: Rhetoric. I always begin this unit by defining argumentation, persuasion, and rhetoric, explaining how the latter literally means the art of persuasion. Then, I introduce the three main rhetorical appeals (shout out Aristotle). Rather than simply giving the students the definitions of ethos, pathos, and logos, I begin by asking questions to help reveal the definitions. Here are some of the questions I use– and that you can most certainly steal for your own classroom:

To introduce ethos , I ask, “Who would you trust to give advice about toothpaste? Why?”
To introduce logos , I might ask, “If you wanted to learn how to build a successful business, what is the benefit of a successful entrepreneur giving you step-by-step guidance?”
To introduce pathos , I ask, “Think about a time where you got emotional during a commercial, song, or movie. What was it that made you so emotional?”

The Power of Words

Once students have an understanding of these essential definitions, it’s time to move on to a more abstract, yet highly significant, concept: the power of words. This is where I introduce the importance (and power) of diction. This is the perfect time to explain how words impact reader/audience experience.

One of the simplest examples to make a case for this claim is asking students to analyze the difference between the terms house and home. I’ve never had a class not come to the conclusion that a house is a structure and place of living, where a home is a place filled with love.

To round out the discussion on why and how words have an impact on the audience, introduce connotation and denotation. Spending a handful of minutes explaining the emotional meaning behind words (connotation) can be a game changer. It reminds students that there is, in fact, emotional power in the words we use. To drive the point home, you can ask them to compare times when they were upset vs. angry vs. furious.

A Fun and Engaging Warm-Up Activity for Teaching Argumentation and Persuasion

What tween or teen doesn’t like arguing with adults? (Trust me. They’re far and few between.) In other words, students will eat this activity up. Rather than focusing on deep and heavy topics that require a great deal of research and unpacking, this activity is a lighthearted warm-up. The goal is to get students to start thinking about what goes into a sound and persuasive argument.

Arguing with “Adults”

Working independently or in small groups, students will pick a “silly” or lighthearted topic. Encourage them to think of things they’d like to convince their parents, teachers, or other adults. Since these topics are light hearted and often come from a place of passion, students will have no problem coming up with reasons why their curfew should be extended by an hour or two or why homework should be abolished. They’re excited to argue why their parents should buy them a car or why a puppy is a must-have addition to their family.

Next, allow students five minutes to choose a topic and brainstorm their argument. Then, give them 10-20 minutes to write their argument. (The timing of this activity is flexible, so you can adjust it based on the structure of your class.) After they write out their argument, it’s time to share– and let the discussion unfold. As each student (or group) shares their argument, have fun playing devil’s advocate. Challenge them to push their arguments and reasoning further.

While you might want to guide the students through the discussion, let them really come to terms with the idea of what makes a sound and persuasive argument. And if you really want to play up the fun? Challenge the other students to play that role! Have your students in the audience play the role of the adults to whom the argument is targeted. This will challenge students to find holes in the arguments, brainstorming ways to make an argument even stronger. Additionally, it challenges them to think about the importance of audience perspective , looking beyond their own interests, blind spots, and biases. The end result? Develop a list of student generated “check-points” for an argument that is both powerful and persuasive.

Engaging Activities for Teaching Argumentation and Persuasion

Watching TV. Driving down the highway. Scrolling through social media. The art of argumentation and persuasion are everywhere . So, why not bring some of those real-life examples to your classroom? Because the truth is, persuasion and argumentation comes in all shapes and sizes. Therefore, it might be time to look beyond the traditional argumentative essay. And with these activities, you can.

An oldie but a goodie. In fact, discussing teaching argumentation and persuasion wouldn’t feel right without some sort of debate. So, to begin this student-centered activity, select (or have students choose) a topic to argue. This can be a murder or crime– and you can even have fun with historical topics like the Salem witch trials if it’s around Halloween or you’re reading The Crucible . Alternatively, you can root your debate in an ethical dilemma or an essential question. Generally speaking, you can look toward real life events or literature for inspiration. You can even head to your state bar association website for mock trial resources and cases– like these from the state of NH . As long as there is evidence to be found and a case to make, you should be good to go.

Before really diving into the mock trial, spend time reviewing the basics of the justice system and trials. Then, once you choose your topic, divide students into teams of prosecution and defense. Once the teams are determined, students can dive into researching and crafting their arguments. However, be sure to emphasize the need for evidence based claims while also discussing the power of persuasion in the courtroom. (There are plenty of video clips you can show and analyze to see these two elements in action.) Each group, both the prosecution and defense, are responsible for crafting an opening statement, a claim, a rebuttal, and a closing statement. For smaller classes, you can serve as the judge and jury. For larger classes, you can run several trials, letting the other groups act as the jury if they’re not presenting. Either way, students will be far more eager to win the jury over with their evidence than they are to write a paper.

There’s no better way for students to show off their new persuasive skills and knowledge of ethos, logos, and pathos than to craft their own arguments. And a mock trial allows them to do so in a way other than the classic essay. But with a verdict on the line, there’s a lot at stake. Therefore, this activity amps up eager participation.

Mock Trial Teacher Tip. Mock trials make debating more exciting– especially if you really play up the trial theme. (Have an old graduation gown? Use it as the judge’s robe! A wig? Yes please! A gavel? A must.) So, grab your gavel and give this engaging activity a try!

Students Do Shark Tank

This activity brings the worlds of business, marketing, and advertisements into the conversation. Talk about real world connection! Most older students will be familiar with this show. However, it’s always fun to show a clip for an episode or two just in case. Plus. Who doesn’t love watching videos in class? (Teachers and students alike.) Shark Tank is all about the pitch. So, have fun replicating this idea in your classroom! And instead of presenting to the likes of Mark Cuban, students will present to you . If you’re able, try getting a few other guest sharks on the “show”.

Before diving into the project, in addition to watching a few clips of the show, take some time to analyze the world of advertising. Encourage students to find connections between argumentative and persuasive writing and real-life commercials, social media campaigns, and print advertisements. Then, put students in small groups and together they will create their own product. Alternatively, you can have them pick an existing product they’re passionate about. Then, the fun begins.

Using their new knowledge of persuasive language techniques and argumentation, students must convince the sharks to invest in their product! For a fun twist that gets everyone involved, let the audience in on the investments. Print out a set amount of “money” for each student. After all the presentations, allow them to “invest” in their favorite products. As for the presentations themselves, I like to require a visual advertisement– like a poster– and a written component– like an elevator pitch. Students can then display their visuals as they give their speech. Later, students can view all of the visuals as they decide where to “invest” their money.

Shark Tank Teacher Tip. Looking to beef up the argumentative writing side of things? You can have students submit a short research-based argumentative paper that supports the need for their product. Regardless of the specifics, students will be eager to dive into this activity with such real world application.

Speech Remix

From Abraham Lincoln’s “The Gettysburg Address” and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream,” history has its fair share of powerful speeches. And they’re great examples of argumentation and persuasion as well. So, begin this activity by analyzing a mentor text as a class. Then, turn it over to the students to showcase their knowledge on their own.

Have students choose a historical speech (you can refer to this bank of speeches here ) to analyze. They can turn in annotations or a short response analyzing the rhetoric of their chosen speech. Here’s the twist. After analyzing the speech, they then use it as a mentor text, implementing its sentence structure, tone and rhetorical techniques as they write their own speech. This is where student choice really kicks up a notch. Allow students to choose a topic, cause, or issue they feel passionate about. However, I always recommend having a list of potential topics on hand for students who need a little more guidance.

Additionally, it might be useful to encourage a backwards design approach. Have students select their topic first, and then find a speech that is a good match. For example, a social justice issue might pair well with Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. However, be sure students choosing unique and more modern topics are not dissuaded if they can’t find the perfect match. Regardless, in the end, this activity pays homage to great speeches of the past while allowing students to take ownership as they apply the argumentative and persuasive techniques to modern day.

Speech Remix Teacher Tip. Why limit yourself to the four walls of your classroom? This activity is a perfect opportunity for cross-curricular collaboration. Consider reaching out to the history teachers and focus your class study on a speech that lines up with the social studies curriculum. This will allow students to have a more in depth background knowledge, giving them more context for the speaker’s rhetorical approach. Similarly, a speech of this caliber might be less intimidating if they understand the context, allowing them to really focus on the rhetorical approach.

#Influencer

In the age of social media, companies make a pretty penny using influencer campaigns. And it’s really quite fitting. Afterall, argumentation and persuasion is all about influence . So, to kick off this activity, spend some time looking at social media ads and influencer accounts. Be sure to analyze everything from photos to captions to hashtags.

After looking at real word examples, it’s time for students to take on the role of an “influencer” – they can be themselves or create an influencer persona. The next step is for them to choose which product of service they are “fit” to promote and, ideally, sell. Students should pick something they have experience with or knowledge about, from video games to make-up. Then, have students write a letter to the “company” (aka you) to convince them that they are capable of being an influencer. This is where they really need to tap into ethos. They should clearly explain why they are a reputable source and should be trusted to sell “your” product. If they’ve convinced you, then they can sign a “contract” (aka the assignment requirements) that outlines the agreement.

Here’s where the fun and creativity happens. While you can determine the specific requirements, students should create a portfolio of campaign materials to promote their chosen product. This is where you can determine how in depth or brief you want the assignment to be. The portfolio can include artifacts like a series of social media posts, youtube videos or scripts, an email funnel, or even blog posts– or a portfolio combining various types of artifacts.

#Influencer Teacher Tip. If you’re looking to amp up the requirements and turn this into a unit-long assignment or a full blown summative assessment, you totally can. Consider adjusting the assignment to be a multigenre project of sorts. Present students with a list and overview of various genres they can include as part of their project. Then, let them select the ones they wish to include in their multigenre portfolio.

PSA – The Passion Project

The name alone screams engagement, right? Even better, this activity is engaging. Instead of assigning a list of overused (and sometimes outdated) argumentative prompts, let students take the reins by choosing a topic that matters to them . So, after teaching your students about rhetorical appeals, the appropriate use of persuasion, and the basics of argumentative writing, let students showcase their newfound skills with the PSA Passion Project. In this project, rather than simply writing an essay for the sake of getting grades, students are diving into an issue of their choice in hopes of raising awareness.

Begin by having students select a social or environmental issue that is important to them. These can range from animal testing in the beauty industry to the impact of social media on mental health. In other words, there’s a wide variety of topics out there, so your students are bound to find something that matters to them. Then, they must plan, develop, and create a public service announcement campaign around the issue. This is where you can really drive home the idea of call to action with persuasion. The challenge with the PSA assignment is crafting an argument that is applicable and persuasive for a mass audience. Afterall, when it comes to wide-spread change, there is power in numbers. (This activity can serve as its own unit or work in conjunction with the study of classic essays like “On The Duty of Civil Disobedience” by Thoreau or “A Letter From Birmingham County Jail” by MLK Jr..

This activity has plenty of room for creativity and student choice. However, that doesn’t mean you have to give up a writing component. Instead, require students to complete a minimum of two items: a written piece and a visual or media element. The writing pieces can range from a more traditional argumentative essay to back up their media component. Alternatively, they can write a speech, persuasive letter, or educational blog post. Then, for the media components, they can create a poster, a video, a social media post, or an infographic– just to name a few. Now, if you’re really looking to diversify the elements of this project, consider turning the PSA Passion Project into a full blown multigenre project!

PSA Passion Project Teacher Tip. Despite your best efforts, some students will claim they can’t find a topic they’re passionate about. (Teenagers.) That’s why I always come prepared with a list of topics students can choose from. Even students eager to choose their own topic might like to see a list for inspiration. Save yourself some time by giving them ideas from this list of engaging argumentative writing prompts!

A Final Note on the Art of Teaching Argumentation and Persuasion

Remember, I’m not saying traditional essays are bad. But I think it’s worth looking beyond the traditions and asking ourselves, how can we make this better ? Better for the students. More reflective of and applicable to the world we live in. If there’s some fun to be had along the way, so be it! (In fact, I encourage it!)

So, as you go one to try any one (or all!) of these activities in your classroom, feel free to make adjustments as needed. And If you’re still looking for a more traditional essay to be your summative assessment, that’s A-OK too! In fact, the activities above can be shortened and adjusted to serve as a mini-lesson or formative assignments before writing a more traditional argumentative essay.

The bottom line is this…

Ever since I changed my approach to teaching argumentation and persuasion, it’s become something my students and I enjoy together . Imagine that!

1 thought on “Teaching Argumentation and Persuasion: 6 Engaging Activities Beyond the Argumentative Essay”

awesome advice and ideas. My semester just got a lot better!!!

Engaging Strategies for Teaching Persuasion, Argument, and Debate

Year after year, I love teaching persuasion. I love persuading my students that persuasion is a life skill worth learning. (Because isn’t all teaching just persuading kids to listen and learn?!) Luckily, with the right mix of ethos, pathos, and logos, this is usually an easy sell to my audience of adolescents.

After all, teens love to argue…with their peers, their parents, and *gasp* their teachers. They have plenty of practice with real-life persuasion, whether it’s convincing their parents to stay out past their curfew or proposing just one extra day to work on that project. And they’re always dying to debate: which sports team is superior, why they deserve more freedom, and what’s wrong with school, society, and this world! If you’ve ever taught teenagers, you know that they have no shortage of opinions. So suffice it to say: your students are already arguers.

The challenge, of course, is helping students channel their opinions and energy into structured, academic argumentation. To do this, you’ll need high-engagement activities that match your students’ energy… not the ancient 5-paragraph persuasive essay over a subject on that random list of 100 debatable topics you found online. If we want to move students to a more sophisticated level of debate, we need to offer them student-centered, authentic, and relevant tasks to practice their persuasion.

Ready to ditch the 5-paragraph persuasive essay and engage your students in meaningful persuasion? Here are dozen different strategies for your ELA classroom.

MOCK TRIALS

Want to teach students how important it is to support your argument with evidence (and what happens when you don’t)? Ready to watch your class eagerly annotate a text and cite said evidence *without* complaints?

persuasive speech activities for high school

I wasn’t sure my students would ever see citing evidence as more than a chore until I dressed up as “Judge G,” borrowed a gavel, and facilitated my first mock trial!

A mock trial is the perfect way to practice persuasion and argumentation because it’s student-centered, inherently engaging, and 100% authentic. You’ll watch students become intrigued, take ownership, and get competitive real quick! Because students know they’ll be arguing in front of a jury of their peers, the standards become strategy. Citing textual evidence is no longer a chore, but a competition! The stakes are higher than a grade from the teacher because the real prize is bragging rights.

To structure a mock trial in your ELA classroom, you’ll need a murder, crime, ethical dilemma, or essential question. In other words: literature! From there, you’ll want to divide students into teams of prosecution, defense, and jury. After that, students will get to work within their groups. In my classroom, this is what it looks like:

The prosecution and defense teams prepare evidence-based claims and rebuttals. Each student is responsible for a section, whether that’s the opening, a claim, a rebuttal, or the closing. Meanwhile, the jury works together to create a rubric and anticipate the arguments they may hear during the trial.

You can read more about mock trials HERE or find everything you need to facilitate a virtual or in-person trial HERE.

RHETORICAL BAR GRAPHS

Bar graphs in ELA? Oh yes you can! Getting a gold star from her math cohorts, Ashley Bible at Building Book Love has her students create rhetorical bar graphs to analyze persuasion.

This digital or tactile strategy is simple yet highly effective! All you do is assign each appeal a color before taking students on a color-coded text hunt. (In her rhetoric lesson plan , Ashley uses: Pink Pathos, Light Blue Logos, and Emerald Green Ethos).

Once students have each appeal coded, they arrange the rhetorical devices into a bar graph and analyze which appeal the speaker relies most heavily on and how they could make their argument stronger. This visualization technique always generates important insights about the topic at hand!

From analyzing speeches in Julius Caesar , to recognizing propaganda in Animal Farm , to tackling social justice in Dolly Parton’s America , this strategy is a gift that keeps on giving! Tag her @BuildingBookLove if you give it a try!

ANALYZING COMMERCIALS & ADVERTISEMENTS

To help students identify persuasive appeals and techniques in action, Shana Ramin from Hello, Teacher Lady suggests deconstructing commercials and advertisements.

When teaching in person, Shana enjoys facilitating this type of analysis with the tried-and-true “chalk talk” approach. After gathering a series of printed advertisements, Shana glues each one in the center of large chart paper and places them at various points around the room. Students rotate through each station with a small group, annotating each ad silently with an eye for purpose, audience, tone, etc. At the end of the activity, students return to their original stations and share out their final observations with the class.

To mimic this activity in a hybrid or digital environment, Shana recommends using Jamboard, an easy-to-use, digital whiteboard app by Google. The setup process is pretty much the same, but replace the printed ads with image screenshots and the white chart paper with a digital Jamboard slide. Students can then use the sticky note and marker features on Jamboard to annotate the images in breakout rooms.

Click here to learn more about the collaborative features of Google Jamboard .

ARGUMENT OLYMPICS

The Argument Olympics are Emily Aierstok’s favorite way to teach middle and high school students evidence based writing. Emily, from Read it. Write it. Learn it. , uses an Olympic theme to deconstruct arguments, write outlines, and compete in the “strongest evidence” game complete with gold medals! Kids LOVE it and quickly understand the qualities of strong evidence in their writing.

To really create an Olympic games feel, Emily creates a very simple (and free!) classroom transformation. She strings red, yellow, and blue streamers around the room, plays the Olympic theme song from YouTube, and prints gold medals to hand out for gold-medal-level deconstructed essays, strongest outlines, and strongest evidence.

Next, Emily introduces the “Olympic events.” For example, the first Olympic Event she introduces to students is The Strongest Evidence Competition. Students are given two sides of an argument topic and asked to find three pieces of evidence to support each argument. After finding their evidence, students are tasked with identifying the evidence that’s the strongest. Students become so motivated to find the strongest evidence, and they’re practicing essential analysis skills. The quality of evidence students find is amazing.

You can read more about implementing the Argument Olympics in your classroom here .

SILENT DISCUSSIONS

Jenna, @DrJennaCopper , loves using silent discussions for students to debate the impact of articles and artifacts. The rules are simple: students are only allowed to write. This type of stipulation helps students really think about their responses since they can’t talk.

Here’s how it works:

Choose an artifact or article.
Get a big piece of poster board or a big paper and paste the article or artifact in the center.
Tell students to read the article and then, discuss with the stipulation that they are only allowed to write. No talking! It helps if students color-code their writing.
As students “discuss,” walk around the room and comment (in writing, of course!) to generate more debate.
When the discussion is over, place the posters on the walls and give students a chance to walk around and view.
Facilitate a talking classroom discussion to discuss insights and observations.

That’s it! Not only will your students be highly engaged, but you’ll also enjoy the few short minutes of precious silence!

As a bonus, this activity works great for a remote lesson as well. Just paste your article or artifact in a Google Doc and share it so they all have editing access. They can complete their silent discussions right in the document.

STUDYING FAMOUS SPEECHES

Lauralee from the Language Arts Classroom frequently uses famous speeches and commercials to teach persuasion. By bringing in authentic examples to the classroom, this strategy offers history and media lessons, too.

When students realize that they see strategies every day in social media, on their phones, and within stores, they engage and are excited to apply those concepts to their public speaking endeavors.

For instance, students can study the techniques in a Susan B. Anthony speech and then apply those techniques to their own speeches. Teachers can even pair her speech with a narrative speech assignment. Students can then employ sentence structure, tone, and logos into their speeches. Although ELA teachers often use persuasive techniques during public speaking lessons, many of the same activities work well with argumentative writing.

NAILED IT! & SHARK TANK

Staci Lamb from The Engaging Station loves switching up her creative lessons on ethos, logos, and pathos every year. She has had students watch Shark Tank and sell their own products, but last year, she was inspired to try something new by making a connection to the Netflix show Nailed It .

Right before winter break, she went to Walmart to buy graham crackers, icing, candies, and more. Dollar Tree also had a great selection of inexpensive candy. Students had to create a gingerbread masterpiece and then use ethos, logos, and pathos to justify why their house was the best. The kids had a lot of fun, and it was an engaging activity to end the calendar year.

You can see this idea and more with free resources on her blog post Creative Ways to Teach Persuasive Appeals .

REAL WORLD TOPICS + CHOICE

Today, students have access to more information than ever at their fingertips. Tanesha from Tanesha B. Forman leverages real world topics – that students want to debate in the classroom – with argu mentative writing lessons. Choice is the bedrock of Tanesha’s approach to lit eracy and she offers students a choice on a topic (e.g. should college athletes be paid?), and tells them the format (e.g. speech, letter).

Next, students research their topic. Tanesha always warns students to think about their position, but be open to changing based on what the research from credible sources reveals. Students spend a day or two gathering information for their writing assignment. For students who need support with this, Tanesha has 3-4 sources readily available. Once students have their evidence, they enter the writing process that Tanesha creates mini-lessons aligned to their needs and they present their work. Throughout the year, Tanesha encourages students to share topics they want to “argue” and she repeats the cycle.

THE ELEVATOR PITCH

No matter what you’re reading or learning about, adding a persuasive pitch to “sell” an idea, is a great way to include elements of persuasion beyond a persuasive unit.

For example, if students are creating something to aid a character , rather than just explain it, challenge your students to create a short elevator pitch! It can even be used with literary analysis by asking a question such as: Which character is the most (insert character trait here)? Staci from Donut Lovin’ Teacher finds that when students have to pitch their ideas, they really begin to reflect on their work and what makes it great, and also where it can grow.

Staci likes starting with a graphic organizer to get students thinking and then begins layering in mini-lessons that consider the audience, point of view, tone, and rhetorical appeals, depending on how much time you have. Students can then begin crafting their pitch on a guided template and practice saying it aloud. If you’re able to incorporate this multiple times throughout the year, your students will really grow confidence in their speaking skills, too!

MUSICAL DEBATES

Middle and high school students can at times feel intimidated by debate and persuasion. That’s why Melissa from Reading and Writing Haven recommends a mini debate activity that engages all students and makes debate relaxed and approachable.

Musical debates amplify the energy, creativity, and social interaction in the physical classroom and online. By adding a simple twist of music, it lightens the mood and provides natural brain breaks so students have time to collect their thoughts.

Here are Melissa’s simple steps for using this debate-style discussion strategy in your classroom:

Give students a thought-provoking or humorous prompt.
Play music as students think, research, jot notes, and (if possible) walk around the room.
Stop the music and have students get into groups of two or three.
Students quickly choose roles. Two of the students need to take one of the sides (pro / con or for / against). The third person is a neutral judge who can build on what the speakers say, offer a different perspective, or make connections between ideas.
After a set amount of time, follow up with a question that digs deeper into the topic or provides another angle. Play music, and allow students to brainstorm again, or take some notes.
Students then pair up again with different peers.
After as many rounds as you would like to run, bring the whole class together and use a Jamboard, Mentimeter, or Padlet as a common visual location to share ideas as a whole group.

To make this strategy work online, you can use breakout rooms to group students together randomly.

Of course, you can run the same type of mini debates without the music. And, that’s fun, too! But, for students, the music adds energy and connectedness. Plus, it reduces the anxiety for students who are more reluctant to engage in debates.

Musical debates create a warm, relaxed environment conducive to critical thinking and dialogue. And, students have multiple short opportunities to hone their skills and hear a variety of perspectives. Melissa wrote about engaging variations, prompts for musical discussions, and how to prepare students on her blog. Click here to read the post .

PSA PASSION PROJECTS

One way that Christina, The Daring English Teacher , likes to incorporate persuasion, argument, and debate into the classroom is by assigning a PSA Passion Project to students.

After learning about rhetorical appeals and argument writing , Christina assigns her students a PSA Passion Project. Her students select an important social issue and create a public service announcement campaign to raise awareness for their chosen issue.

The public service campaign usually includes a variety of items. To place students in charge of their learning, they choose several products to produce from a list of items: a speech, a persuasive letter, a graphic essay , a poster, an infographic, an informational video, a narrative video, a social media campaign, and more. It is important to make sure that students choose at least two items, and that their combination includes a writing component and a media literacy component.

To make the class project more fun, no two students can choose the same topic. To share their projects with the class, Christina likes to use Padlet.

ANALYZING MUSIC

Amanda from Mud and Ink Teaching likes to head the Disney direction when it comes to learning the ins and outs of argumentation.

So many great Disney songs offer an argumentative core, and their popularity and familiarity help build engagement with students. Take “Under the Sea” for example: Sebastian has quite the task in front of him. Somehow, he must convince an uninterested Ariel to curb her curiosity about the human world and appreciate her home under ‘de water. Reversely, Moana sings of the importance of heeding the call to the ocean in “How Far I’ll Go” as she debates within herself how far she is actually willing to go. Each of these speakers has an important message to impart, and these are things that students are comfortable wrestling with.

Amanda’s favorite song to teach, however, is the well-loved classic “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast . In this lesson that she outlines in her blog post and provides a free Google Slide lesson download , Amanda teaches students the importance of understanding the rhetorical situation (the rhetorical triangle) as well as the devices and techniques that the speaker uses to communicate his message. Through practice and discussion with familiar texts and characters, students begin to embrace the fundamental ideas of argumentation.

I hope this post helps you make persuasion more engaging, authentic, and student-centered! What are your other favorite activities to teach persuasion? Let me know in the comments!

If you like any of these ideas, don’t forget to pin them! 🙂

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Your Key to Success: Fun Persuasive Speech Topics

February 3, 2020 // by Lindsay Ann // 1 Comment

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Teaching argumentation and persuasion skills is an important part of the English curriculum. It doesn’t have to be all grind and no fun, though. Having these fun persuasive speech topics ready-to-go may be just the formative assessment, impromptu speech assignment, or team-building activity that you need!

I’ve found that speech-making using unique topics for speech to persuade an audience can be a fun way to engage students even during an argumentative writing or rhetorical analysis unit.

And speech topics to persuade don’t have to be the traditional, one-by-one, in front of the class type of speech.

Students can use Vocaroo , Canva, or even Flip to record.
Alternatively, students can create mockumentaries, infomercials, vlogs, or campaign speeches using WeVideo .
Or, have students write and share a complaint letter , sell a random object to a random audience , advocate to save a silly law , or write an emotion letter .

These speaking activities provide nontraditional ways to formatively assess students’ grasp of claim and counterclaim, as well as rhetorical appeals and devices.

As a bonus, these persuasive activities can be quite entertaining.

Have you ever heard a teenager try to sell a Michael Scott bobblehead to the retired whale watchers society? I rest my case.

Persuasive speech topics non controversial

Another fun and non-controversial speech activity is to assign students to take a frivolous lawsuit to trial. Because these cases are so off-the-wall bizarre, taking the cases to trial proves to be interesting and engaging for students.

Take, for example, the case of the woman who spilled McDonald’s coffee on her leg. Should she receive compensation? Individuals or teams of students take sides, do a bit of research on the original frivolous lawsuit, figure out an angle, conduct more research (such as regular coffee temperature, past McDonald’s lawsuits, etc.), and prepare arguments as the defense or prosecution. This speech topics to persuade assignment never disappoints!

Persuasive Speech Topics Lists

In the event that you are still looking for a more traditional list of fun persuasive speech topics high school students will love , I’ve got you covered.

This list of 91 persuasive speech ideas will save you hours of trolling the interwebs searching for just the right topics. I’ve even categorized them for you. Easy peasy.

Persuasive speech topics funny

SpongeBob SquarePants would make a better President than Mickey Mouse.
The chicken crossed the road because…
Square is the new circle.
Sleeping is a competitive sport.
Bulldogs are better than sheepdogs.
Guilt tastes better than fear.
I should receive a gold medal for ___________.
Smartphones are portals to another dimension.
It’s dangerous to own a pet slug.
We are aliens.
Cats should run the world.
Is Shakespeare dead?
Sisters are better than brothers.
Humpty Dumpty is not a tragedy.
How to avoid embarrassment
Three-year-olds are secret spies.
Squirrels are evil.
My _________ would win a ___________ contest.
_________ is more interesting than _________.
Children should rule the world.
E-vacations can replace real ones.

Persuasive speech topics on sports

Notre Dame football is really a cult.
Phil Jackson is the greatest coach of all time.
The NFL should tighten concussion rules.
Is ballet an art form or a sport?
Instant replay is hurting the game.
Fans should be censored.
Ads should be on jerseys.
College athletes should be paid.
The NBA is better than the NHL.
College athletes should put academics before athletics.

Persuasive speech topics on health

Parents should be required to feed children healthy food.
Milk does a body good.
Flu shots should be mandatory.
Public schools should educate children about mental health issues.
GMO foods are less healthy than natural foods.
Energy drinks should be labeled as a “drug.”
Organ donation should be mandatory.
Healthcare should be accessible for all.
Physical education should not be required in public schools.
Smoking in public should be banned.

Persuasive speech topics on animals

Pet ownership teaches responsibility.
Americans love their pets more than humans.
Declawing is inhumane.
Humans need animals in order to be healthy.
It is selfish to own more than one pet.
Dogs are better than cats.
If an animal bites someone, it should be euthanized.
Wild animals should stay wild.
Using animals in medical research is necessary.
Antibiotics should not be given to animals.

Persuasive speech topics on music

Teachers should play music in their classrooms to help students focus.
Every child should be required to play an instrument for at least one year.
Music is the best form of communication.
Music with offensive lyrics should not be played on the radio.
Taylor Swift is a better singer than Ariana Grande.
Musical genres don’t even matter anymore.
“Let it Be” is the most overrated Beatles song.
Beyonce is a cult leader.
Marilyn Manson is the most disturbing figure in music history.
Streaming music harms the careers of new artists.

Persuasive speech topics technology

The use of social media causes narcissistic traits.
Do violent video games like call of duty and others cause people to become aggressive/violent?
Post-production modifications like auto-tune should be banned.
Technology makes human behavior more robotic.
Adult innuendos in kid shows should be discontinued.
Technology complicates life instead of making it easier.
Web filters
Cell phones are addictive.
What you can do to save yourself from being destroyed by social media.
Technology makes us more alone.

Persuasive speech topics education/teen life

Online education or blended learning is better than traditional classroom learning.
Schools should not require physical education classes.
Schools should be required to teach creationism and evolution.
Students should be allowed to go on strike.
Students should be paid if they make the honor roll.
Recess and nap time should be allowed, even in high school.
School is designed for extroverts.
Teen angst is a healthy phase.
“Ok boomer” is a slur.
Web filters at school are too restrictive.

Persuasive speech topics environment

Everyone should compost waste products.
There should be limited access to single-use plastics.
It’s simple to “go green.”
People should be fined for not recycling or for producing excess garbage.
Should uranium enrichment be legal?
Greta Thunburg is making a positive impact.
Private cars should be forbidden in large cities.
The world would be a better place without humans.
Drinking water should be fluoridated.
Having children is a bad idea in today’s society.

Like I said, as teachers, we never know when these persuasive speech topics will be useful, and it’s always good to help students avoid worn-out topics and choose fun, unique ones instead.

Sometimes, the best fun persuasive speech topics come in the context of my course content. For example, if I’m having students listen to Megan Rapinoe’s World Cup Parade speech , I could follow this rhetorical analysis lesson with a quick debate about equal pay in women’s soccer or about whether or not she is a “good” role model.

I hope this post has you thinking about fun ways to build persuasive speaking skills in your classroom! Which speech topics to persuade idea is your favorite? Leave a comment below!

Ideas for Teaching Rhetoric

If you’re looking for more teaching ideas, I’ve put together six of my best strategies for teaching rhetorical analysis in a student-centered classroom. Click HERE or on the image below to sign-up today!

About Lindsay Ann

Lindsay has been teaching high school English in the burbs of Chicago for 19 years. She is passionate about helping English teachers find balance in their lives and teaching practice through practical feedback strategies and student-led learning strategies. She also geeks out about literary analysis, inquiry-based learning, and classroom technology integration. When Lindsay is not teaching, she enjoys playing with her two kids, running, and getting lost in a good book.

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Reader Interactions

[…] Playing games in the classroom in conjunction with teaching argumentation and speaking skills works wonders to engage students. Here are some of my favorite games, and be sure to check out this post for even more activities and persuasive topics. […]

Public Speaking Activities for High School

Public speaking activities for high school students can help develop their communication skills and boost confidence in expressing themselves in front of an audience. By engaging in activities such as debates, impromptu speeches, and presentations, students can learn to structure their thoughts, articulate their ideas clearly, and connect with their audience effectively.

These activities also provide opportunities for students to enhance their critical thinking, research, and teamwork skills. Public speaking activities can be incorporated into the curriculum or organized as extracurricular activities, allowing students to practice and improve their public speaking abilities in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Credit: www.marlborough.org

Table of Contents

Benefits Of Public Speaking Activities

Engaging in public speaking activities during high school offers numerous benefits, including improved communication skills, increased self-confidence, and enhanced leadership abilities. By participating in these activities, students develop valuable life skills that can help them succeed in various educational and professional settings.

Public speaking activities in high school play a crucial role in the overall development of students. Engaging in public speaking not only helps students express themselves but also equips them with essential skills that they can utilize in various aspects of their lives.

In this section, we will explore the numerous benefits of participating in public speaking activities in high school.

Improved Communication Skills:

Enhances verbal expression: Engaging in public speaking activities allows students to practice expressing their thoughts and ideas clearly and coherently.
Improves non-verbal communication: Students learn to effectively use gestures, facial expressions, and body language to enhance their message delivery.
Boosts active listening skills: Through public speaking activities, students learn to attentively listen to others and respond appropriately.
Develops persuasive communication: Students learn the art of persuasion, understanding how to present arguments and influence others’ opinions.

Increased Self-Confidence:

Overcoming fear: Public speaking pushes individuals out of their comfort zones, helping them conquer their fear of speaking in front of a group.
Building self-assurance: Regular practice in public speaking activities builds self-confidence as students become more comfortable expressing themselves.
Strong presence: Mastering the art of public speaking enables individuals to exude confidence and command attention while addressing an audience.

Enhanced Critical Thinking:

Organizing thoughts: Public speaking activities require students to organize their ideas logically, enhancing their critical thinking and analytical skills.
Evaluating information: While preparing speeches, students engage in research, analyze information, and distinguish between reliable and biased sources.
Developing coherent arguments: Presenting arguments in a structured manner requires students to think critically and present their ideas in a persuasive manner.

Development Of Leadership Abilities:

Taking initiative: Engaging in public speaking activities provides students with opportunities to assume leadership roles and take charge.
Effective communication: Public speaking encourages students to improve their communication skills, a crucial aspect of being an effective leader.
Empowering others: Students develop the ability to inspire and motivate their peers through persuasive speeches and presentations.
Public representation: Public speaking enables students to represent their ideas, opinions, and perspectives, fostering their development as leaders.

By participating in public speaking activities during high school, students gain invaluable skills that extend beyond the classroom. These activities not only improve communication skills, boost self-confidence, enhance critical thinking, and develop leadership abilities but also equip students with lifelong competencies that will serve them well in their future endeavors.

So, don’t miss the opportunity to engage in public speaking activities and reap these incredible benefits!

Icebreakers And Warm-Up Activities For Public Speaking

Discover engaging icebreakers and warm-up activities specifically designed for high school public speaking. These interactive exercises will help students build confidence, improve communication skills, and create a positive learning atmosphere. Start the journey towards effective public speaking today!

Public speaking activities for high school can be a great way to help students build confidence, develop their communication skills, and overcome any fears they may have about speaking in front of others. Icebreakers and warm-up activities are essential to create a comfortable and engaging environment for students to participate in public speaking.

Here are some fun icebreaker and warm-up activities that can be incorporated into public speaking sessions for high school students:

Have students stand in a circle and introduce themselves by their first name, along with an adjective or noun that starts with the same letter as their name (e.g., Funny Fiona, Bold Brian).
Each student must repeat the names and descriptions of the people who spoke before them, creating a chain of names that gets longer as more students join in.

Two Truths And A Lie

Students take turns sharing two true statements and one false statement about themselves.
The rest of the group must try to guess which statement is the lie by asking questions or using their intuition.

Would You Rather

Create a list of thought-provoking and humorous “Would You Rather” scenarios related to public speaking or general topics.
Each student takes turns selecting a scenario and explaining their choice to the group, encouraging open discussion and debate.

Story Starter

Provide each student with a sentence or a short paragraph to use as a story starter.
Students will take turns continuing the story, either by adding a sentence or passing it on to the next person, building a collaborative narrative.
Ask each student to prepare and share an interesting or surprising fact about themselves.
This activity helps students get to know each other better and provides opportunities for improvisation and impromptu speaking.

By incorporating these icebreakers and warm-up activities into public speaking sessions, high school students can feel more comfortable, engaged, and ready to tackle the challenges of public speaking. These activities also serve as a platform for students to express their thoughts, build relationships, and develop essential public speaking skills.

Debates And Persuasive Speaking Exercises

Discover engaging debates and persuasive speaking exercises specifically designed for high school students. These public speaking activities will help them enhance their communication skills and build confidence in expressing their opinions effectively.

Public speaking skills are essential for high school students to develop as they prepare for the future. Engaging in debates and persuasive speaking exercises can greatly enhance their ability to articulate their thoughts and convince others of their viewpoints. In this section, we will explore various activities that can help students improve their skills in debates and persuasive speaking.

Establishing Arguments:

Clearly define the main argument: Before engaging in any debate or persuasive speech, it is crucial to establish a clear and concise main argument.
Provide supporting evidence: Backing up arguments with relevant evidence helps strengthen the persuasive impact and credibility of the speaker.
Use logical reasoning: Presenting logical reasoning allows students to make engaging and persuasive arguments that are grounded in sound logic.

Counterarguments And Rebuttals:

Anticipate opposing viewpoints: Encouraging students to consider opposing viewpoints allows them to address potential counterarguments effectively.
Develop rebuttal strategies: Teach students to identify potential weaknesses in opposing arguments and develop strong rebuttals to counter them.
Encourage critical thinking: Foster critical thinking skills by challenging students to think on their feet and respond to counterarguments in real-time.

Structuring Persuasive Speeches:

Teach students to start with a captivating opening that grabs the audience’s attention and clearly states the main argument.
Main body: Help students organize their main points in a logical and coherent manner, using clear subheadings or transitions to guide the flow of ideas.
Encourage students to summarize their main points and leave a lasting impression on the audience by reinforcing the main argument.

Practice Debates On Relevant Topics:

Choose topics of interest: Selecting relevant and engaging topics that resonate with the students encourages active participation and lively debates.
Research prior to the debate: Encourage students to conduct thorough research on the chosen topic to gather supporting evidence and strengthen their arguments.
Facilitate structured debates: Create a structured debate format where students take turns presenting arguments and engaging in respectful discourse.

By engaging in debates and persuasive speaking exercises, high school students can develop essential communication, critical thinking, and persuasion skills that will benefit them in various aspects of their lives. These activities not only help them become effective public speakers but also enable them to analyze different perspectives and present their ideas confidently.

Improving Impromptu Speaking Skills

Improve your impromptu speaking skills with engaging public speaking activities designed for high school students. Enhance your ability to think on your feet and communicate effectively in various situations.

Public Speaking Activities For High School:

Are you a high school student looking to enhance your impromptu speaking skills? Whether you’re preparing for debates, presentations, or simply want to become a more confident speaker, practicing impromptu speaking can greatly benefit you. In this section, we will explore some exciting activities and games that can help you think on your feet and improve your impromptu speaking skills.

Let’s dive in!

Quick Thinking Exercises:

Word association: Choose a random word and quickly associate it with another word that comes to mind. Practice speaking about the association for 30 seconds to a minute to improve your ability to speak on a topic without prior preparation.
Picture interpretation: Look at a random image or photograph and deliver a short impromptu speech about what you see. This exercise helps sharpen your observational skills and encourages you to think and speak spontaneously.

Spontaneous Speech Topics:

Current events: Stay informed about the latest news and practice speaking about current events without prior preparation. Discuss topics such as politics, sports, science, or entertainment for a set amount of time.
Debate topics: Select a debatable topic, formulate arguments in support of or against it, and deliver an impromptu speech defending your position. This activity enhances your critical thinking skills and ability to formulate persuasive arguments on the spot.

Impromptu Speaking Games:

Just a minute: Give each participant a random topic to speak about for one minute without any prior preparation. Evoke creativity and quick thinking while maintaining coherence and clarity within the given time frame.
Story continuation: Start a story with a few sentences, then pass it on to the next person who continues the narrative. Each participant must think quickly and adapt to the developing story, ensuring smooth transitions and logical storytelling.

Remember, the key to improving your impromptu speaking skills is consistent practice and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. By engaging in these quick thinking exercises and impromptu speaking games, you’ll develop your ability to speak confidently and coherently on any topic that comes your way.

So go ahead, step up, and conquer impromptu speaking like a pro!

Group Activities For Collaborative Public Speaking

Discover engaging group activities that foster collaborative public speaking skills in high school students. With interactive exercises and dynamic discussions, students can improve their presentation skills while engaging with peers in a supportive and creative environment. Gain confidence and master the art of public speaking through these innovative group activities.

Public speaking is a valuable skill that high school students need to develop. It can boost their confidence, enhance their communication abilities, and prepare them for future professional opportunities. Group activities that focus on collaborative public speaking can be particularly beneficial, as they provide students with opportunities to work together, share ideas, and learn from each other’s experiences.

In this blog post, we will explore three effective group activities for collaborative public speaking: panel discussions, role-playing scenarios, and team presentations. Let’s dive in and discover the exciting possibilities of these activities!

Panel Discussions:

Panel discussions are a dynamic way for students to engage in collaborative public speaking. They allow a group of students to share their opinions, knowledge, and experiences on a specific topic, while also encouraging active listening and critical thinking.
Dividing students into panels and assigning them specific roles or topics ensures that each student actively contributes to the discussion.
Each panelist should have an opportunity to express their viewpoint, followed by open discussions and thoughtful questions from both the panelists and the audience.
Panel discussions not only develop public speaking skills but also foster teamwork, empathy, and respect for diverse opinions.

Role-Playing Scenarios:

Role-playing scenarios can be a fun and interactive way for high school students to improve their public speaking skills. Through role-playing, students can step into the shoes of different characters and practice presenting their ideas, arguments, or solutions.
Assigning specific roles and scenarios prompts students to think on their feet and develop their communication skills.
Encouraging active listening and open-mindedness among participants can lead to engaging and thought-provoking discussions.
Role-playing scenarios not only enhance public speaking abilities but also cultivate empathy, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Team Presentations:

Team presentations provide an excellent opportunity for students to collaborate, plan, and deliver meaningful speeches together. Working in a team helps distribute the workload and allows students to combine their strengths and expertise.
Assigning specific roles within the team, such as a speaker, researcher, visual designer, or timekeeper, fosters a sense of responsibility and dedication.
Students should work collaboratively to create a clear and engaging presentation, ensuring that each team member has a chance to contribute to the overall message.
Team presentations not only improve public speaking skills but also nurture teamwork, organization, and effective communication within a group.

By incorporating these group activities into high school public speaking programs, educators can create an engaging and impactful learning environment. Each activity offers unique benefits and opportunities for students to develop their public speaking abilities, collaborate effectively, and grow as confident communicators.

So, why not encourage your students to explore these activities and unleash their potential? The world is waiting to hear their voices!

Creative Activities To Enhance Public Speaking

Enhance your high school students’ public speaking skills with engaging and innovative activities that stimulate creativity and boost confidence. From impromptu speaking challenges to storytelling competitions, these activities encourage students to express their ideas effectively and captivate an audience.

Public speaking is a valuable skill that can greatly benefit high school students both academically and professionally. Engaging in creative activities can make the learning process more enjoyable and help students develop confidence in their public speaking abilities. Here are three creative activities that can enhance public speaking skills:

Storytelling Exercises:

Encourage students to immerse themselves in the world of storytelling to enhance their public speaking skills.
Have them practice storytelling by narrating their favorite childhood story or creating their own imaginative tale.
Students can incorporate gestures, facial expressions, and vocal variations to bring their stories to life.
Utilize storytelling techniques such as vivid descriptions, compelling characters, and engaging plotlines to captivate the audience.

Poetry Recitation:

Poetry can be a powerful tool for developing public speaking skills and cultivating a love for literature.
Provide students with a selection of poems and encourage them to choose one that resonates with them.
Through recitation, students can focus on voice modulation, rhythm, and intonation to create an engaging performance.
Encourage them to explore the emotions and themes within the poem, using gestures and facial expressions to convey meaning effectively.

Improvisation Games:

Improvisation is an exciting and effective way to enhance public speaking skills while fostering creativity and teamwork.
Organize improvisation games that require students to think on their feet, such as “Yes, And…” or “Build a Story.”
These games encourage students to develop quick thinking, effective communication, and confident delivery.
By participating in improvisational activities, students can learn to adapt to unexpected situations and improve their ability to engage an audience.

Engaging in these creative activities will provide high school students with an opportunity to explore different aspects of public speaking while building their confidence. Through storytelling exercises, poetry recitation, and improvisation games, students can develop essential skills that will serve them well in their future endeavors.

Mastery of public speaking will not only enhance their academic performance but also prepare them for success in various professional settings. So why wait? Embrace these creative activities and see your public speaking skills soar!

Mock Interviews And Presentation Practice

Enhance public speaking skills in high school with engaging mock interviews and presentation practice sessions. Build confidence, improve communication, and develop effective presentation techniques in a supportive environment.

Public speaking is an essential skill for high school students to develop, as it builds confidence, enhances communication abilities, and prepares them for future academic and professional endeavors. One effective way to improve public speaking skills is through mock interviews and presentation practice.

These activities provide students with valuable opportunities to refine their speaking abilities in a supportive and structured environment.

Interview Simulations:

Conducting mock interviews allows students to practice their communication and interviewing skills.
Students can prepare for college admissions, scholarship interviews, or job interviews.
Mock interviews help students become familiar with typical interview questions and how to respond effectively.
Feedback from teachers or professionals can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement.
Receiving constructive criticism helps students identify their strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to refine their interviewing techniques.

Presentation Feedback And Improvement:

Students can practice delivering presentations in front of their peers and teachers.
This activity helps students become more comfortable speaking in front of an audience.
Feedback from classmates and teachers allows students to refine their presentation skills.
Students can learn from observing and evaluating others’ presentations.
Peer evaluations can provide a different perspective and offer helpful suggestions for improvement.

Mock interviews and presentation practice provide students with valuable opportunities to strengthen their public speaking skills in a simulated environment. These activities help students become more confident, improve their communication abilities, and prepare for future academic and professional pursuits. By participating in these exercises and receiving feedback, students can refine their interviewing and presentation techniques, setting themselves up for success in various aspects of life.

Overcoming Fear Of Public Speaking

High school public speaking activities can help students overcome their fear of speaking in front of others. These activities provide a supportive environment for students to practice and build confidence, preparing them for future speaking engagements.

Public speaking can be intimidating, especially for high school students who may have limited experience with it. However, with the right strategies, anyone can overcome their fear of public speaking. Here are some effective techniques to help you conquer your fear and become a confident speaker:

Visualization Techniques:

Imagine yourself giving a successful speech: Visualize yourself standing in front of an audience, confidently delivering your speech with clarity and poise.
Picture positive feedback: Envision your audience applauding, nodding in agreement, and engaging with your words. Visualizing positive reactions can boost your confidence and reduce anxiety.

Gradual Exposure To Public Speaking:

Start with smaller speaking opportunities: Begin by speaking in front of family or friends, where the audience is comfortable and supportive. This will help you gain confidence and become familiar with the experience.
Participate in class discussions: Engaging in classroom dialogues can ease your fear of speaking in front of your peers. Take part in group discussions and build your confidence gradually.

Positive Affirmations:

Practice positive self-talk: Repeat positive affirmations such as “I am a confident speaker” or “I have valuable insights to share.” Remind yourself of your abilities and focus on your strengths rather than dwelling on potential mistakes.
Use visualization techniques in conjunction with affirmations: Combine positive affirmations with visualizing successful speech delivery. This powerful combination can help overcome self-doubt and build confidence.

Supportive Environments:

Join a public speaking club: Engaging with like-minded individuals who are also working on their speaking skills can provide a supportive and encouraging environment. Consider joining a club like Toastmasters to practice and receive constructive feedback.
Surround yourself with supportive friends: Seek out friends who will encourage and support your public speaking endeavors. Having a strong support system can help alleviate anxiety and provide reassurance.

Remember, overcoming fear of public speaking takes practice and patience. By implementing these techniques and gradually exposing yourself to speaking opportunities, you can develop confidence and become a proficient public speaker. Embrace the challenge, believe in your abilities, and watch yourself grow into a confident communicator.

Using Technology For Public Speaking Practice

Looking to improve your public speaking skills in high school? Utilize technology for practice sessions, leveraging tools such as video recording apps or online speech platforms. Develop confidence and fluency in your communication through these innovative techniques.

Public speaking skills are essential for high school students to develop. Not only do these skills help improve their communication abilities, but they also build confidence and self-assurance. In today’s digital age, technology can play a crucial role in honing public speaking skills.

Here are some exciting activities that utilize technology for public speaking practice:

Video Recording And Self-Assessment:

Record your speeches: Use a smartphone or webcam to record yourself giving a speech. This allows you to analyze your performance and identify areas for improvement.
Focus on body language and gestures: Pay attention to your posture, facial expressions, and hand movements. These nonverbal cues can significantly impact how your speech is perceived.
Analyze speaking pace and tone: Listen to your recorded speech and assess whether you vary your speaking speed and tone appropriately. This helps you engage your audience and convey your message effectively.
Evaluate content and message delivery: Assess the clarity of your speech, organization of ideas, and overall message. Look for ways to strengthen your arguments and enhance your speech’s impact.

Online Public Speaking Courses:

Learn from experts: Enroll in online public speaking courses, where experienced instructors provide valuable guidance and tips on various aspects of effective communication.
Access a variety of resources: Online courses offer a wealth of resources, such as video lessons, tutorials, and practice exercises. These resources provide comprehensive learning opportunities beyond traditional classroom settings.
Receive personalized feedback: Many online courses provide opportunities for feedback, allowing you to submit recordings or written assignments for evaluation. This personalized feedback helps you understand your strengths and areas for improvement.
Practice with interactive exercises: Engage in interactive activities, such as simulated debates or impromptu speaking exercises. These exercises foster quick thinking and adaptability, essential skills for public speaking.

Virtual Reality Simulations:

Immerse yourself in realistic speaking scenarios: Virtual reality simulations offer an immersive experience, allowing you to practice public speaking in realistic settings, such as conference rooms, auditoriums, or even TED-like stages.
Experiment with various audience types: Virtual reality simulations enable you to practice speaking to diverse audiences, including formal, informal, or even hostile groups. This helps broaden your adaptability and communication skills.
Receive real-time feedback: Some virtual reality programs provide instant feedback on your speaking skills, including vocal variety, eye contact, and gestures. This immediate feedback allows for continuous improvement.
Repeat and refine: Virtual reality simulations allow you to rehearse multiple times and refine your speeches. With practice, you can build confidence and polish your delivery.

These technology-driven activities provide high school students with valuable opportunities to practice and improve their public speaking skills. Whether through video recording, online courses, or virtual reality simulations, embracing technology can enhance their communication abilities and boost their confidence on stage.

So, why not leverage technology to unlock your full potential as a public speaker?

Assessing Public Speaking Skills

Discover effective public speaking activities for high school students that help assess and improve their speaking skills. Engage in interactive exercises and group discussions to build confidence and fluency in communicating ideas. Develop crucial presentation abilities for academic success and future endeavors.

Public speaking skills are essential for high school students as they prepare for their future endeavors. It is important to assess these skills to provide valuable feedback and help students grow. Here are some effective methods for assessing public speaking skills:

Rubrics For Evaluating Speeches:

Clear organization: Speeches should have a logical structure with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Ideas should flow smoothly and transitions should be seamless.
Content: Assess whether the speaker demonstrates a thorough understanding of the topic and effectively communicates key points. Look for evidence of research and supporting evidence.
Delivery: Evaluate the speaker’s voice projection, clarity, and overall presence. Are they engaging and confident in their delivery?
Body language: Assess the speaker’s use of gestures, facial expressions, and body posture. Do they make effective eye contact with the audience?
Time management: Determine if the speaker effectively manages their time and adheres to any time limits given.
Audience engagement: Look for signs that the speaker is connecting with the audience through eye contact, varying vocal tone, and their ability to keep the audience’s attention.

Peer Evaluations:

Pair students: Assign students to pairs to evaluate each other’s speeches. This can provide a fresh perspective and encourage constructive feedback.
Guidelines for evaluations: Provide guidelines or a rubric for students to follow when evaluating their peers. Encourage them to provide specific examples and suggestions for improvement.
Anonymous feedback: Consider making evaluations anonymous to create a safe environment where students can provide honest feedback without fear of judgment.

Growth Mindset Approach:

Focus on improvement: Emphasize the importance of growth mindset, where students view public speaking as a skill that can be developed with effort and practice.
Constructive feedback: Encourage students to see feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than criticism. Teach them how to give and receive feedback in a constructive and supportive manner.
Goal setting: Help students set realistic goals for improving their public speaking skills. Breaking down the skill into smaller, achievable goals can boost motivation and show progress over time.

By using these methods, educators can effectively assess and provide feedback on high school students’ public speaking skills. This approach promotes growth mindset and encourages students to improve their abilities in this vital area.

Frequently Asked Questions For Public Speaking Activities For High School

What are some benefits of public speaking activities for high school students.

Public speaking activities help high school students build confidence, improve communication skills, and enhance critical thinking abilities. These activities also promote self-expression, develop leadership skills, and prepare students for future academic and professional endeavors.

How Can Public Speaking Activities Be Incorporated Into High School Curriculum?

Public speaking activities can be integrated into the high school curriculum by including debates, presentations, and speeches as part of various subjects. Teachers can also organize public speaking competitions or create a public speaking club to encourage students to develop their speaking skills.

Are There Any Resources Available For Organizing Public Speaking Activities In High School?

Yes, there are many resources available such as online platforms, books, and workshops that provide guidance and materials for organizing public speaking activities in high school. These resources offer tips, speech topics, and techniques to help teachers and students effectively plan and execute engaging public speaking activities.

Public speaking is a crucial skill for high school students to develop, as it prepares them for future success in their personal and professional lives. By actively participating in various public speaking activities, students can enhance their communication skills, boost their confidence, and improve their overall self-esteem.

Engaging in activities such as debate competitions, presenting in front of classmates, or joining a public speaking club allows students to practice articulating their ideas clearly and persuasively. Furthermore, these activities provide an opportunity for students to develop critical thinking skills, research abilities, and the ability to structure and deliver a compelling argument.

Overall, the benefits of participating in public speaking activities in high school are undeniable. They not only equip students with the skills necessary to excel academically and professionally but also empower them to overcome their fear of public speaking and become effective communicators.

So, encourage high school students to embrace these activities and witness the tremendous growth and development they can achieve.

Characteristics of an Ineffective Public Speaker

An ineffective public speaker demonstrates poor communication skills and fails to engage their audience effectively. They lack confidence, clarity, and fail to deliver their message coherently, resulting in a disengaged audience. Consequently, they struggle to connect with their listeners, create a lasting impact, and effectively convey their intended message. This often leads to a lack…

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How Do You Overcome Nervousness the Last Minute before Starting Your Public Speaking?

To overcome nervousness before public speaking, focus on deep breathing and positive self-talk. Public speaking can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you’re prone to feeling anxious in front of crowds. However, there are effective ways to overcome nervousness and deliver a confident presentation. One of the most helpful techniques is deep breathing, which can…

What are the Important Aspects of Public Speaking?

Important aspects of public speaking include preparation, delivery, body language, and connecting with the audience. Public speaking is a valuable skill that can help you effectively communicate your ideas, influence others, and create a lasting impact. Whether it’s giving a speech, conducting a presentation, or participating in a panel discussion, being able to confidently and…

Can Glossophobia Be Prevented?

Glossophobia, also known as the fear of public speaking, can be prevented through exposure therapy and learning coping skills to manage the fear. In exposure therapy, individuals gradually face their fear of speaking in front of others and develop strategies to handle the situation. By actively participating in treatments and exercises, individuals can overcome glossophobia…

Public Speaking Training for Professionals

Looking to improve your public speaking skills? Public Speaking Training for Professionals can help you become a confident and effective presenter in any setting. Gain the necessary skills to engage your audience, deliver impactful presentations, and overcome stage fright. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this training will equip you with…

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Delivering a Persuasive Speech Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan #: AELP-SPH0200 Submitted by: Douglas Parker Email: [email protected] School/University/Affiliation: Albany Academy, Albany, NY Date: May 30, 2001

Grade Level: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Subject(s):

Language Arts/Speech

Duration: Two 50-minute sessions

Description: Students need to understand that how they say something and how they physically present themselves are just as important as what they say. By understanding the dynamics involved in effective persuasive speaking, students will improve their overall confidence in communicating.

Goals: The goal of this lesson is to improve students’ speaking skills by understanding persuasion proficiencies.

Objectives: Students will be able to:

Demonstrate the appropriate classroom public speaking and listening skills (e.g., body language, articulation, listening to be able to identify specific examples of the speaker’s coordination of talking and action) that would be necessary to influence or change someone’s mind or way of thinking about a topic.
Define the elements of persuasion.
Recognize the elements of personal credibility.
Develop methods to analyze other students’ speeches.
Understand outlining main ideas.
Create a persuasive speech.
teacher-prepared topics for persuasive speeches
sample rubric (available in .pdf format)
Sample Rubric

Procedure: During class discussion, define and explain how people make decisions based on what they see and hear. Explain that sometimes we have to use skills to convince others about our positions. Have the students recall and list their own experiences trying to convince their friends about something, and then ask them to share these with the class. Have the students pick a proposition that not everyone would agree with such as: nuclear power plants are superior energy sources. Have them write a 6-8 minute speech in outline form to persuade the class. Each student will then deliver this speech in front of the class while the rest of the students take notes and prepare to give the speaker feedback on the speech.

The voice and the body are the best tools — every student is a natural persuader! They have done it all their lives. Every time someone enters a conversation, he or she engages in elementary persuasion techniques. It is true that any time students make a statement of fact, they are asserting its validity and assuming that their listener agrees. This speech goes further than a normal conversational assertion: now students have to assume that not everyone will agree with them from the start, and it is their job to make them see things their way. The goal of this speech is to change someone’s mind or way of thinking about a topic. This is not a speech to sell, as students do not ask that the listener do anything except to agree with them or to begin to listen to their way of thinking. Their message is, of course, very important in this speech, but their voice and body language are even more important. Here they will learn how their delivery can help. There are several important aspects of presentation to keep in mind; the academic elements of persuasion are:

Body Language – Make sure that they have a proper posture. If their shoulders are sagging and their legs are crossed, they will not appear as being sincere, and people just will not accept their message.
Articulation – Articulation means how their total vocal process works. There are several steps to this entire process. Students need to understand the process. First, they need air from the lungs, their vocal cords in their larynx must be working, their mouth and tongue must be in sync, and they have to make sure that they have got some saliva in their mouths to keep things oiled. They should be aware of their physical makeup to be able to understand how they speak.
Pronunciation – Students need to pronounce each word. They must avoid slang, except to make a point, and not slur the words. They must avoid saying, you know.
Pitch – Pitch refers to the highs and lows of the voice. Whatever they do, they must avoid a monotone!
Speed – The speed, or pace, is an important variable to control. Between 140-160 words per minute is the normal pace for a persuasive speech. Any faster and they may appear to be glib; any slower and they sound like they are lecturing. If they are not sure about their speed, tape them for one minute and then replay it and count the number of words they used in the minute! The human ear and brain can compile and decode over 400 spoken words per minute, so if they are going too slow their listeners’ minds are going to start to wander as the brains finds other ways to keep themselves occupied.
Pauses – The pause, or caesura, is a critical persuasive tool. When they want to emphasize a certain word, have them just pause for one second before; this highlights the word. If they really want to punch it, tell them to pause before and after the word!
Volume – Volume is another good tool for a persuasive speech, but they should use it with caution. If they scream all the way through their speech, people will become accustomed to it and it will lose its effectiveness. On the other hand, a few well-timed shouts can liven up the speech! They must try to project or throw their voice out over the entire class – or speak to the last row.
Quality – Quality of voice is gauged by the overall impact that their voice has on their listeners. Quality of voice is the net caliber of their voice, its character and attributes. They must try to keep the vocal quality high; it is what separates their voices from everyone else’s.
Variance – Variance of vocal elements is the most important consideration of all! One of the most persuasive speakers in modern history was Winston Churchill. One of his most remarkable qualities was his ability to vary the elements of his voice. He would start with a slow, laconic voice and then switch gears to a more rapid pace. People were light-headed after listening to him! Even if they have no desire to run for political office, students can still use the tools of variance. Have them try to change their pitch, volume, and speed at least once every 30 seconds, if only for just one word. Never let them go more than one paragraph without a vocal variance. This keeps the class locked into the speech, if for no other reason than it sounds interesting! Let the students’ words speak for themselves; reflect their nature through their voices. If they use the word strangle, have them say it with a hint of menace in their voices. If they say the word heave, let the class feel the onomatopoeic force behind it. If they say the word bulldozer, make it sound like a titan earthmover, not like a baby with a shovel.

The Strategy: Appear Rational When students are trying to convince someone of something, they must first establish their credibility, or in other words, they must sell themselves before they sell their message. If people feel that they are not being reasonable or rational, they do not stand a chance. They must be committed to the ideals and goals of their speech and what they are saying. They should not use words such as maybe or might- the should use positive words such as will and must. Students must portray themselves as the authority figures in this speech, so they had better supply enough information to prove their points so that they can seem knowledgeable, and they had better know their material cold. People can usually spot someone who is trying to wing a speech. They should also appear to be truthful – even when they are really stretching a point. If they do not appear to be earnest, even if their message is the 100% truth, people will doubt their word and tune out their speech. Lastly, they must not be afraid to show a little emotion – this is not a sterile or static speech. Students’ bodies and voices must match the tone of their words. If their language is strong, they must present a physical force to go along with their deliveries.

The Class Reaction The class has two major criteria to consider after each member’s speech. First, the delivery. Were the speaker’s body, words, and actions in synchronization and harmony? Did one support the other or was there tension between the body and the voice? Secondly, were the students persuaded? Why or why not? Discuss what makes a persuasive speech work and how the intangibles effect a positive outcome. Assessment: The class will assess each speaker’s performance in terms of voice and body coordination and in terms of persuasiveness. Each class can develop performance assessments such as rubrics to facilitate this process (see sample rubric in Materials ).

Useful Internet Resource: * Basic Public Speaking, 2nd edition (written by the lesson plan author) http://www.capital.net/~bps2

The Classroom | Empowering Students in Their College Journey

Effective Persuasive Speech Writing & Delivering in High School

Characteristics of a Good Speech

Given that delivering speeches in high school can be an enormously challenging and intimidating undertaking, it is helpful to know that the key elements of an effective persuasive speech are confidence, simplicity and organization. By teaching speech writing, instructors can help students learn how to overcome the fear of giving a speech.

How to Write a Persuasive Speech in High School

Writing an effective persuasive speech in high school and delivering it successfully is no easy feat. High school students are often required to give speeches, whether in their academic class, as a requirement for student government or as some part of a senior presentation when they are preparing to leave high school. Speech writing and speech delivering are challenging to learn, but the important thing to keep in mind is that the skills necessary to do them well can be taught and learned by anyone who is willing to put in the effort.

If your goal is to write and deliver an effective persuasive speech about education, you will need to begin by doing thorough research . Not all of the research that you do will wind up being a part of the speech, but the effort that you do put in thorough research will enable you to deliver your speech with authority, confidence and flexibility, which are some of the most important attributes to an effective speech about education or really any topic.

Once you have conducted the necessary research, it's time to focus on the main topic of your speech. Speeches are by definition given orally, and research has shown that audiences do not remember a great deal of information that they hear in speeches, so clarity and specificity are critical. You can arrive at the main point of your speech by thinking of the goal of the speech. What do you want the audience to understand or feel empowered to do?

How to Write an Introduction to a Persuasive Speech

Though it's counterintuitive to anyone who has ever watched a movie or read a story where the climax of the story comes at the end, the truth is that the introduction of your speech is actually the most critical part. In the introduction to your speech, you will need to grab your audience's attention and hold onto it. A funny quote or a personal anecdote is a good speech introduction example for school.

Many times, speech writers spend the first moments of their speech thanking the people who have allowed them to speak and going on to express their gratitude for being able to be there. This is a mistake. You can save any thanks, congratulations and well wishes for the end of your speech. Your responsibility when writing the introduction to a persuasive speech is to grab the audience's attention and then leave them wanting to hear more.

Once you have figured out your central topic and the best way to lead into it, you can make sure that the introduction to your speech is sufficiently engaging. What is the end goal of your speech? Write it down and then work backward.

How Do I Make a Persuasive Speech?

A good introduction to a persuasive speech shouldn't be overly dramatic or sensational. Rather, it should draw the audience in slowly like bait until they find that they have listened to the entire speech. The way to do this is to begin with a story, an anecdote or anything that will sound authentic and nonformulaic and will get the audience to sit up and take notice.

If you have ever been to a wedding where someone gave a particularly successful toast, you'll understand that starting with humor is often the best way to get the audience on your side. Emotions and humor are two things that make audiences feel connected and moved.

Certainly, not every persuasive speech should contain humor. It is not always appropriate for the occasion or the central topic, and you must be the judge of whether or not the situation is too grave to lead with a joke. However, if you can lead the beginning of your speech in a way that is both humorous and engaging, you will find that you have the audience already on your side.

What Are the Keys to Persuasive Speech Text?

Many expert teachers of speech writing agree that the most critical part of the speech is the introduction, and the second-most critical part of the speech is the conclusion. In the speech's conclusion, you will circle back to the themes on which you began your speech and formulate them into a final message or a call to action for the audience that will leave them feeling exhilarated. What about the body paragraphs? What about the middle of your speech?

People who teach speech writing often say that the middle, or body paragraphs, of your speech should be kept short. A short middle means that there is less time for the audience to get bored, to lose their place in what you are saying or to stumble over the meaning of your words. It also means that you as the speech writer must get the body paragraph of your speech to be as concise and packed with information as possible while using the least amount of words.

It's important not to let the story part of your speech drag on. If you can hit the story's key "beats" in bullet points, do that. Then, find a way to dress up the bullet points and make the tone conversational rather than stiff and written. You'll be delivering your speech partially built on what you have prepared and partially with the rest coming out of what you feel at the moment, so keep your bullet points to a minimum and use them as a guide.

What Makes a Speech Persuasive?

Something that makes an argument persuasive is that the person making the argument doesn't strong arm or talk down to the audience. The same is true of persuasive speeches. If you are looking to write or create a persuasive speech, you will need to speak in a warm, open and non-confrontational manner with the people to whom you are delivering the speech. They will be persuaded by the content of your words, not by the force of your delivery.

Another key piece of persuasive speech writing is being engaging. Explaining how to be engaging is one of the main components of teaching speech writing. To be engaging, you must make the audience feel as though you are in direct conversation with them and as though they alone are the recipients of your attention and you are in fact conversing with them, not simply saying words to them.

Persuasive speech writing is a difficult skill to master, but it can be mastered with practice. When you practice giving a speech based on a strong outline you've developed versus reading a speech like a script, you will have the opportunity to speak in an authentic way that feels less forced and more authentic.

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Ashley Friedman is a freelance writer with experience writing about education for a variety of organizations and educational institutions as well as online media sites. She has written for Pearson Education, The University of Miami, The New York City Teaching Fellows, New Visions for Public Schools, and a number of independent secondary schools. She lives in Los Angeles.

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112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging

What’s covered:, how to pick an awesome persuasive speech topic, 112 engaging persuasive speech topics, tips for preparing your persuasive speech.

Writing a stellar persuasive speech requires a carefully crafted argument that will resonate with your audience to sway them to your side. This feat can be challenging to accomplish, but an engaging, thought-provoking speech topic is an excellent place to start.

When it comes time to select a topic for your persuasive speech, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options to choose from—or your brain may be drawing a completely blank slate. If you’re having trouble thinking of the perfect topic, don’t worry. We’re here to help!

In this post, we’re sharing how to choose the perfect persuasive speech topic and tips to prepare for your speech. Plus, you’ll find 112 persuasive speech topics that you can take directly from us or use as creative inspiration for your own ideas!

Choose Something You’re Passionate About

It’s much easier to write, research, and deliver a speech about a cause you care about. Even if it’s challenging to find a topic that completely sparks your interest, try to choose a topic that aligns with your passions.

However, keep in mind that not everyone has the same interests as you. Try to choose a general topic to grab the attention of the majority of your audience, but one that’s specific enough to keep them engaged.

For example, suppose you’re giving a persuasive speech about book censorship. In that case, it’s probably too niche to talk about why “To Kill a Mockingbird” shouldn’t be censored (even if it’s your favorite book), and it’s too broad to talk about media censorship in general.

Steer Clear of Cliches

Have you already heard a persuasive speech topic presented dozens of times? If so, it’s probably not an excellent choice for your speech—even if it’s an issue you’re incredibly passionate about.

Although polarizing topics like abortion and climate control are important to discuss, they aren’t great persuasive speech topics. Most people have already formed an opinion on these topics, which will either cause them to tune out or have a negative impression of your speech.

Instead, choose topics that are fresh, unique, and new. If your audience has never heard your idea presented before, they will be more open to your argument and engaged in your speech.

Have a Clear Side of Opposition

For a persuasive speech to be engaging, there must be a clear side of opposition. To help determine the arguability of your topic, ask yourself: “If I presented my viewpoint on this topic to a group of peers, would someone disagree with me?” If the answer is yes, then you’ve chosen a great topic!

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for what it takes to choose a great persuasive speech topic, here are over one hundred options for you to choose from.

Should high school athletes get tested for steroids?
Should schools be required to have physical education courses?
Should sports grades in school depend on things like athletic ability?
What sport should be added to or removed from the Olympics?
Should college athletes be able to make money off of their merchandise?
Should sports teams be able to recruit young athletes without a college degree?
Should we consider video gamers as professional athletes?
Is cheerleading considered a sport?
Should parents allow their kids to play contact sports?
Should professional female athletes be paid the same as professional male athletes?
Should college be free at the undergraduate level?
Is the traditional college experience obsolete?
Should you choose a major based on your interests or your potential salary?
Should high school students have to meet a required number of service hours before graduating?
Should teachers earn more or less based on how their students perform on standardized tests?
Are private high schools more effective than public high schools?
Should there be a minimum number of attendance days required to graduate?
Are GPAs harmful or helpful?
Should schools be required to teach about standardized testing?
Should Greek Life be banned in the United States?
Should schools offer science classes explicitly about mental health?
Should students be able to bring their cell phones to school?
Should all public restrooms be all-gender?
Should undocumented immigrants have the same employment and education opportunities as citizens?
Should everyone be paid a living wage regardless of their employment status?
Should supremacist groups be able to hold public events?
Should guns be allowed in public places?
Should the national drinking age be lowered?
Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
Should the government raise or lower the retirement age?
Should the government be able to control the population?
Is the death penalty ethical?

Environment

Should stores charge customers for plastic bags?
Should breeding animals (dogs, cats, etc.) be illegal?
Is it okay to have exotic animals as pets?
Should people be fined for not recycling?
Should compost bins become mandatory for restaurants?
Should electric vehicles have their own transportation infrastructure?
Would heavier fining policies reduce corporations’ emissions?
Should hunting be encouraged or illegal?
Should reusable diapers replace disposable diapers?

Science & Technology

Is paper media more reliable than digital news sources?
Should automated/self-driving cars be legalized?
Should schools be required to provide laptops to all students?
Should software companies be able to have pre-downloaded programs and applications on devices?
Should drones be allowed in military warfare?
Should scientists invest more or less money into cancer research?
Should cloning be illegal?
Should societies colonize other planets?
Should there be legal oversight over the development of technology?

Social Media

Should there be an age limit on social media?
Should cyberbullying have the same repercussions as in-person bullying?
Are online relationships as valuable as in-person relationships?
Does “cancel culture” have a positive or negative impact on societies?
Are social media platforms reliable information or news sources?
Should social media be censored?
Does social media create an unrealistic standard of beauty?
Is regular social media usage damaging to real-life interactions?
Is social media distorting democracy?
How many branches of government should there be?
Who is the best/worst president of all time?
How long should judges serve in the U.S. Supreme Court?
Should a more significant portion of the U.S. budget be contributed towards education?
Should the government invest in rapid transcontinental transportation infrastructure?
Should airport screening be more or less stringent?
Should the electoral college be dismantled?
Should the U.S. have open borders?
Should the government spend more or less money on space exploration?
Should students sing Christmas carols, say the pledge of allegiance, or perform other tangentially religious activities?
Should nuns and priests become genderless roles?
Should schools and other public buildings have prayer rooms?
Should animal sacrifice be legal if it occurs in a religious context?
Should countries be allowed to impose a national religion on their citizens?
Should the church be separated from the state?
Does freedom of religion positively or negatively affect societies?

Parenting & Family

Is it better to have children at a younger or older age?
Is it better for children to go to daycare or stay home with their parents?
Does birth order affect personality?
Should parents or the school system teach their kids about sex?
Are family traditions important?
Should parents smoke or drink around young children?
Should “spanking” children be illegal?
Should parents use swear words in front of their children?
Should parents allow their children to play violent video games?

Entertainment

Should all actors be paid the same regardless of gender or ethnicity?
Should all award shows be based on popular vote?
Who should be responsible for paying taxes on prize money, the game show staff or the contestants?
Should movies and television shows have ethnicity and gender quotas?
Should newspapers and magazines move to a completely online format?
Should streaming services like Netflix and Hulu be free for students?
Is the movie rating system still effective?
Should celebrities have more privacy rights?

Arts & Humanities

Are libraries becoming obsolete?
Should all schools have mandatory art or music courses in their curriculum?
Should offensive language be censored from classic literary works?
Is it ethical for museums to keep indigenous artifacts?
Should digital designs be considered an art form?
Should abstract art be considered an art form?
Is music therapy effective?
Should tattoos be regarded as “professional dress” for work?
Should schools place greater emphasis on the arts programs?
Should euthanasia be allowed in hospitals and other clinical settings?
Should the government support and implement universal healthcare?
Would obesity rates lower if the government intervened to make healthy foods more affordable?
Should teenagers be given access to birth control pills without parental consent?
Should food allergies be considered a disease?
Should health insurance cover homeopathic medicine?
Is using painkillers healthy?
Should genetically modified foods be banned?
Should there be a tax on unhealthy foods?
Should tobacco products be banned from the country?
Should the birth control pill be free for everyone?

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original persuasive speech ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

Do Your Research

A great persuasive speech is supported with plenty of well-researched facts and evidence. So before you begin the writing process, research both sides of the topic you’re presenting in-depth to gain a well-rounded perspective of the topic.

Understand Your Audience

It’s critical to understand your audience to deliver a great persuasive speech. After all, you are trying to convince them that your viewpoint is correct. Before writing your speech, consider the facts and information that your audience may already know, and think about the beliefs and concerns they may have about your topic. Then, address these concerns in your speech, and be mindful to include fresh, new information.

Have Someone Read Your Speech

Once you have finished writing your speech, have someone read it to check for areas of strength and improvement. You can use CollegeVine’s free essay review tool to get feedback on your speech from a peer!

Practice Makes Perfect

After completing your final draft, the key to success is to practice. Present your speech out loud in front of a mirror, your family, friends, and basically, anyone who will listen. Not only will the feedback of others help you to make your speech better, but you’ll become more confident in your presentation skills and may even be able to commit your speech to memory.

Hopefully, these ideas have inspired you to write a powerful, unique persuasive speech. With the perfect topic, plenty of practice, and a boost of self-confidence, we know you’ll impress your audience with a remarkable speech!

Can You Convince Me? Developing Persuasive Writing

Resources & Preparation
Instructional Plan
Related Resources

Persuasive writing is an important skill that can seem intimidating to elementary students. This lesson encourages students to use skills and knowledge they may not realize they already have. A classroom game introduces students to the basic concepts of lobbying for something that is important to them (or that they want) and making persuasive arguments. Students then choose their own persuasive piece to analyze and learn some of the definitions associated with persuasive writing. Once students become aware of the techniques used in oral arguments, they then apply them to independent persuasive writing activities and analyze the work of others to see if it contains effective persuasive techniques.

Featured Resources

From theory to practice.

Students can discover for themselves how much they already know about constructing persuasive arguments by participating in an exercise that is not intimidating.
Progressing from spoken to written arguments will help students become better readers of persuasive texts.

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.

Materials and Technology

Computers with Internet access
PowerPoint
LCD projector (optional)
Chart paper or chalkboard
Sticky notes
Persuasive Strategy Presentation
Persuasion Is All Around You
Persuasive Strategy Definitions
Check the Strategies
Check the Strategy
Observations and Notes
Persuasive Writing Assessment

Preparation

Student objectives.

Students will

Work in cooperative groups to brainstorm ideas and organize them into a cohesive argument to be presented to the class
Gain knowledge of the different strategies that are used in effective persuasive writing
Use a graphic organizer to help them begin organizing their ideas into written form
Apply what they have learned to write a persuasive piece that expresses their stance and reasoning in a clear, logical sequence
Develop oral presentation skills by presenting their persuasive writing pieces to the class
Analyze the work of others to see if it contains effective persuasive techniques

Session 1: The Game of Persuasion

Home/School Connection: Distribute Persuasion Is All Around You . Students are to find an example of a persuasive piece from the newspaper, television, radio, magazine, or billboards around town and be ready to report back to class during Session 2. Provide a selection of magazines or newspapers with advertisements for students who may not have materials at home. For English-language learners (ELLs), it may be helpful to show examples of advertisements and articles in newspapers and magazines.

Session 2: Analysis of an Argument

Home/School Connection: Ask students to revisit their persuasive piece from Persuasion Is All Around You . This time they will use Check the Strategies to look for the persuasive strategies that the creator of the piece incorporated. Check for understanding with your ELLs and any special needs students. It may be helpful for them to talk through their persuasive piece with you or a peer before taking it home for homework. Arrange a time for any student who may not have the opportunity to complete assignments outside of school to work with you, a volunteer, or another adult at school on the assignment.

Session 3: Persuasive Writing

Session 4: presenting the persuasive writing.

Endangered Species: Persuasive Writing offers a way to integrate science with persuasive writing. Have students pretend that they are reporters and have to convince people to think the way they do. Have them pick issues related to endangered species, use the Persuasion Map as a prewriting exercise, and write essays trying to convince others of their points of view. In addition, the lesson “Persuasive Essay: Environmental Issues” can be adapted for your students as part of this exercise.
Have students write persuasive arguments for a special class event, such as an educational field trip or an in-class educational movie. Reward the class by arranging for the class event suggested in one of the essays.

Student Assessment / Reflections

Compare your Observations and Notes from Session 4 and Session 1 to see if students understand the persuasive strategies, use any new persuasive strategies, seem to be overusing a strategy, or need more practice refining the use of a strategy. Offer them guidance and practice as needed.
Collect both homework assignments and the Check the Strategy sheets and assess how well students understand the different elements of persuasive writing and how they are applied.
Collect students’ Persuasion Maps and use them and your discussions during conferences to see how well students understand how to use the persuasive strategies and are able to plan their essays. You want to look also at how well they are able to make changes from the map to their finished essays.
Use the Persuasive Writing Assessment to evaluate the essays students wrote during Session 3.
Calendar Activities
Strategy Guides
Lesson Plans
Student Interactives

The Persuasion Map is an interactive graphic organizer that enables students to map out their arguments for a persuasive essay or debate.

This interactive tool allows students to create Venn diagrams that contain two or three overlapping circles, enabling them to organize their information logically.

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Simple Steps to Create a Persuasive Speech

When creating a lesson plan to teach persuasive speech, it is important to model what a persuasive speech sounds like by providing students with specific examples.

There are countless easily accessible speeches online to help students visualize their task. One example is the TeacherTube video of Angelina Jolie discussing global action for children. Or the audio clip of Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. Once students are allowed to see and hear a persuasive speech in action, they’ll be more prepared for the written portion of the assignment.

Topic ownership

Everyone wants something and is willing to try and convince someone else to provide it. That is how most environments in the modern adult world work. Students of all ages and abilities need to learn how to craft a persuasive speech to be successful later in life.

Students use persuasion in life, often without realizing it. Young children may want their parents to take them out for ice cream. Middle school children may want to have a sleepover with friends. High school students may want to persuade their parents to buy them a car when they get their driver’s license.

If students are allowed to choose their own topic, they will feel more ownership in the assignment.

Preparing and writing the first draft

Students need to create a logical argument giving details about why they should get what they want. Some persuasive strategy definitions include:

Claim: The main point of your argument.
Big Names: The experts referred to during a speech.
Logos: The logic or rationale of your argument.
Pathos: The emotional aspect to your argument.
Ethos: The trustworthiness of your claims.
Kairos: The urgency of your argument.
Research: The graphs, tables and illustrations that support your argument.

After outlining all areas of the argument, students can begin to write the first rough draft of their speech. To begin, the introduction should include the main topic and the argument.

Next, the body of the paper should include correct sequencing of examples as well as a counter argument. It’s very important to include a counter argument in your speech.

Finally, the conclusion of your speech should make a strong statement and give a call-to-action to the audience.

When writing a persuasive speech, students should make sure their facts are accurate and their voice is expressed. If students are having trouble creating the essay, using a graphic organizer is sometimes helpful. There are many interactive organizers that can assist students, including the persuasion map.

Peer editing

Once students have written a rough draft of the persuasive speech, it is important to peer edit . Teachers should put students in groups of three to four and allow them to read each other’s essays. They can give feedback about whether the speech is convincing and ways it can be improved.

Often, when students work together, they more effectively point out mistakes in their peer’s argument while also providing words of encouragement about their strengths. You want to make sure when creating the groups that there are varying ability levels grouped together.

Next, students can revise their speech. Classmates may have pointed out areas that needed improvement or clarification. Students often need a different perspective to make sure the argument they are making is clear and reasonable.

Speaking and presenting

Finally, students should be allowed to present their persuasive speeches. Although getting up in front of the class is the best way to present orally, shy students could also be allowed to create a PowerPoint presentation that integrates the audio feature so they can practice reading their speech for the presentation.

Teachers and students can complete grading rubrics for the student presentations. Students need to learn how to evaluate other students and provide appropriate feedback. Using a grading rubric is the best way to make sure the assessment if fair and accurate.

Creating persuasive speeches is a valuable skill for students to learn at any age. Whether they are trying to relay an idea to their parents, their peers, or their government, it’s important to know how to create logical arguments and provide accurate, reliable support. The more students practice writing and presenting persuasive speeches, the more confident they will be when a real-life situation presents itself.

435 PERSUASIVE Speech Topics for High School Students (Top)

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. This site is not intended to provide financial advice and is for entertainment only.

Giving a persuasive speech can be stressful for high school students , especially when you are tasked with coming up with your own topic.

To help reduce the stress of preparation, I have compiled this list of 435 persuasive speech topics for high school students to give you some ideas and inspiration.

These topics cover a wide range of issues that are relevant to today’s young adults, from social concerns like gender roles and mental health awareness to more academic pursuits such as college admissions and financial aid opportunities.

With this comprehensive list in hand, you will be able to quickly come up with an engaging idea that resonates with both yourself and your audience .

So take a look around - there is sure to be something here which can help make your next presentation a success!

1. Should standardized testing be eliminated in favor of a more personalized approach?

2. Should high school students have the right to choose their own curriculum?

3. Should minors be given the same rights as adults when it comes to freedom of expression?

4. Is it beneficial for schools to offer mental health counseling services on campus?

5. How can society work together to combat bullying in schools?

6. Can video games help young people learn new skills or develop existing ones?

7. Are zero-tolerance policies effective in reducing student misconduct and promoting better behavior at school ?

8. What are the pros and cons of allowing cell phone use during class time ?

9. What regulations should be put into place regarding cyberbullying prevention ?

10. Do current laws successfully protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination within schools ?

11. Should students be given more opportunities to provide input on the school's curriculum?

12. How can social media use be better regulated in schools to avoid misuse and distraction?

13. How can we create an environment of inclusion for all racial and ethnic backgrounds in school ?

14. What measures should be taken to ensure online safety for students?

15. What steps should schools take to reduce teenage drug abuse?

16. Is it beneficial for high schoolers to pursue dual enrollment or advanced placement courses ?

17. Is corporal punishment an effective form of discipline in schools ?

18. Are dress codes still necessary in modern education systems ?

19. Should student athletes receive special treatment, such as lower academic standards or priority scheduling?

20. Has the cost of higher education become too expensive for most families today ?

21. Should the school day start later in order to improve student performance?

22. Could technology be leveraged more effectively to help students better understand their course material?

23. Are there any viable alternatives to traditional classroom instruction for modern students?

24. What regulations should be put into place regarding academic dishonesty and cheating ?

25. Is it beneficial for high schools to offer specialized courses such as robotics or coding?

26. How can we create a sense of community within larger educational institutions ?

27. Should cell phones be prohibited from use during class time, even if they are not being used for disruption purposes ?

28. Do current laws protect student's privacy rights adequately enough when it comes to gathering data about them online ?

29. Can extracurricular activities help foster greater school pride among students in large districts ?

30 .Should public universities take measures to reduce tuition costs for all levels of income families?

31. Should schools decrease their reliance on textbooks and utilize digital forms of learning?

32. How can we create an environment in which all students feel safe to express themselves without fear of ridicule or bullying?

33. Is the current academic system providing students with enough opportunity for creative expression and exploration ?

34. What policies should be implemented to reduce dropout rates among high schoolers?

35. Should high schools offer more vocational training courses for those not planning on attending college?

36. How can we successfully implement sustainable practices into modern education systems ?

37. Are standardized tests accurate representations of a student's knowledge in a given subject area ?

38. What measures should be taken by educators to help ensure that students are well-prepared when it comes time to transition into adult life?

39. Should music and art courses continue to remain mandatory subjects within public school curriculums ?

40 .What role do teachers play in helping their pupils achieve greater success beyond just academics?

41. Should schools provide mental health services to help students cope with the increasing pressure and stress of modern day life?

42. How can we encourage more young people to become involved in politics and government reform initiatives?

43. What measures should be taken by teachers to ensure that all students are receiving an equal education regardless of background or financial status?

44 .Should states continue administering high-stakes tests such as the SAT/ACT for college admissions purposes ?

45. Could longer school days improve student performance, or would they lead to burnout and fatigue?

46. Should educational institutions offer an alternative form of punishment other than detention for wrongdoings ?

47. Is it beneficial for high schools to initiate career guidance programs for their students earlier on ?

48. What measures could be taken in order to reduce bullying among children in school systems ?

49. How can we increase access and opportunities within underprivileged communities when it comes to higher education ?

50. How could discussions about diversity, race equality, sexism , etc., best be implemented into classrooms without causing discomfort or controversy amongst pupils?

51. Should high schools have separate classes for boys and girls to reduce the gender gap among students?

52. How can we create more awareness about mental health issues in educational institutions?

53. Is it beneficial for students to attend single-sex schools rather than coed ones ?

54. What measures could be taken by school districts to improve the quality of food served in cafeterias?

55. Should religious education continue to remain part of public school curriculums?

56. Do current grading systems accurately reflect a student's knowledge of a given subject matter ?

57. How can educators ensure all pupils receive an equal, fair education regardless of race or ethnicity ?

58. Could implementing mindfulness practices into daily routines help reduce stress amongst teens attending high school ?

59. What measures should be taken by teachers and administrators when it comes to bullying prevention within educational institutions?

60. Should universities provide free speech courses that teach how to communicate effectively with others in order to foster greater understanding between different groups/cultures.?

61. Should high schools provide internships and job shadow experiences to help their students gain a better understanding of the working world?

62. Are current methods for evaluating student performance effective or should we look into alternative assessment strategies?

63. How can we ensure that all students have access to resources necessary for success in school, such as textbooks and technology ?

64. What roles do teachers play in encouraging healthy eating habits among their pupils?

65 .Should educational institutions consider incorporating modern technologies (such as smartphones) into classrooms rather than banning them completely ?

66. What measures should be taken by educators to increase awareness about the dangers of drug use amongst teenagers ?

67. Is it beneficial for schools to allocate more funding towards extracurricular activities such as sports teams, martial arts clubs, music groups etc.?

68. Should students have more freedom to express their opinions in schools?

69. Is it beneficial for high schoolers to take part in community service projects?

70. Are current standardized tests an accurate measure of a student’s knowledge or should we look into alternative assessment strategies?

71. How can educators best address controversial topics such as sexuality, gender identity, and politics without causing controversy amongst pupils?

72. Can technology help improve the quality of education received by students or are there drawbacks that outweigh the benefits ?

73. What measures could be taken by teachers to ensure that all students receive equal access and opportunities regardless of race or financial status ?

74. How can peer-to-peer learning best be incorporated into educational institutions to foster greater understanding between different groups/cultures?

75. Is homeschooling an effective alternative form of education when compared with traditional schooling methods ?

76. Could longer school days lead to higher rates of burnout and fatigue among high schoolers or would they benefit from increased instructional time?

77. Could incorporating mindfulness practices into daily routines help reduce stress among teens attending high school?

78. Should extracurricular activities such as sports be mandatory in educational institutions ?

79. Should schools and universities provide mental health services to their students?

80. How can educators best address cyberbullying among high schoolers?

81. Could implementing a mentorship program within public schools help better prepare pupils for the working world?

82 .Should universities provide free speech courses that teach how to communicate effectively with others in order to foster greater understanding between different groups/cultures.?

83. Would providing incentives for good academic performance be beneficial for students or would it put too much pressure on them ?

84. Is it beneficial for high schoolers to take part in community service projects ?

85 .Do current grading systems accurately reflect a student’s knowledge of a given subject matter ?

86. What measures should be taken by teachers and administrators when it comes to bullying prevention within educational institutions ?

87. How can we ensure that all students have access to resources necessary for success in school, such as textbooks and technology?

88. What roles do teachers play in encouraging healthy eating habits amongst their pupils?

89. Should high schools provide career-focused courses to help kids decide their future?

90. Are current measures taken by educational institutions enough to prevent cheating and plagiarism?

91. How can teachers best address the issue of social media addiction among teenagers?

92. What strategies should be implemented in order for students to stay focused on their studies?

93. Is there a need for stricter punishments regarding cyberbullying ?

94. Can student feedback help improve teaching methods used by educators?

95. In what ways can educational institutions better assist those with learning disabilities when it comes to schooling and/or exams ?

96. Could implementing body cameras in classrooms promote accountability amongst both students and faculty members ?

97. Do high schoolers benefit from taking part in debates or are they an unnecessary waste of time ?

98. Should all high schools have mandatory internships programs as part of their curriculum so that students gain real world experience before graduating?

99. Should high schools provide gender-neutral bathrooms and locker rooms for their students?

100. What strategies can educators use to ensure that all students are included in classroom activities?

101. How has technology changed the way we learn, and should it continue to be incorporated into educational systems?

102. Are standardized tests an effective measure of a student's knowledge or do they favor those from more privileged backgrounds?

103. What role should the parents have when it comes to monitoring their child’s academic performance ?

104. Could offering online classes for high schoolers result in higher grades as well as improve work/life balance amongst teenagers ?

105. Is there enough support provided by teachers and faculty members concerning mental health

issues among young adults ?

106. Should educational institutions offer courses on financial literacy in order to better prepare pupils for adulthood and life after graduation ?

107. What approaches could teachers take in order to ensure that all students get equal attention regardless of learning styles or needs?

108. Should schools create more after-school activities that serve both educational and recreational purposes?

109. How can parents ensure that their children’s digital lives stay secure at school and outside of it?

110. Is physical education an important part of the high school curriculum or should those classes be reduced in order to accommodate for other studies?

111. Should there be harsher punishments for students caught cheating on exams or assignments ?

112. Does standardized testing accurately reflect a student's knowledge or does it put them under too much pressure ?

113 .What measures should teachers take in order to reduce competition amongst pupils in the classroom ?

114 . In what ways could government funding help improve the quality of education provided by public schools ?

115. Do current teaching methods need to be reevaluated so as to better engage students with their studies ?

116. Are student loans beneficial for financially struggling college hopefuls, or do they simply add another layer of debt on top of existing ones?

117. Is there a need for high schoolers to be taught about digital safety and security?

118. Should schools offer more electives in order to give students the opportunity for self-exploration?

119. Are dress codes necessary for high schoolers, or do they create an environment of conformity?

120. Could providing healthier food options in cafeterias increase student focus during class time ?

121. How can we ensure that all students are given the same resources and opportunities when it comes to their studies ?

122. Do current grading systems favor those from more privileged backgrounds over others ?

123. What strategies should teachers use in order to motivate struggling pupils to reach their full potential ?

124. Is homeschooling a viable option for high schoolers looking for alternative routes towards graduation ?

125. Could offering flexible schedules help reduce stress amongst teenagers who juggle both studies and extracurricular activities?

126. Should standardized tests remain as part of the college application process or be replaced with other forms of assessment?

127. Are extracurricular activities a necessary part of high school education or should they be optional?

128. How can educators ensure that all students have equal access to educational resources regardless of their backgrounds?

129. Should schools provide more support in order for students to understand mental health issues and better cope with them?

130. Does the current grading system accurately reflect a student's academic performance or does it put too much emphasis on memorization?

131. What measures could teachers take in order to create an inclusive environment that encourages student collaboration ?

132. Could offering internships as part of the curriculum help motivate pupils towards a career path earlier on in life ?

133 . Is there any use for corporal punishment when it comes to disciplining teenagers ?

134 . Do standardized tests create an unfair advantage for those from wealthier households over others who lack financial stability?

135 . In what ways can parents help their children overcome the challenges posed by social media at school ?

136. Should the current school curriculum be redesigned to provide more knowledge on current global events?

137. Could teaching soft skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and leadership help better prepare high schoolers for the future?

138. Is it necessary to give standardized tests in order to measure student performance or can they be replaced with alternative assessment methods ?

139 . Does physical education still have a place in modern day high schools or should those classes be reduced in order to accommodate other courses?

140 . Why is it important for students to learn about different cultures and perspectives from an early age ?

141 . Are online classes a viable option for reducing costs associated with higher education.?

142 . Do extracurricular activities truly benefit teenagers or are they just distractions from their studies ?

143 . What steps could teachers take towards developing better relationships between students and faculty members?

144. Are there effective ways of incentivizing pupils who excel at academics beyond giving them awards and recognitions?

145. Should the current school curriculum be redesigned to include more information about robotic automation and its impact on employment?

146. What measures should schools take in order to prevent cyberbullying amongst teenagers?

147. Is it important for students to learn about financial literacy from an early age?

148. How can we ensure that high schoolers get access to a well-rounded education rather than one that is focused solely on college preparation?

149. Should educational institutions focus more on developing soft skills such as creativity, critical thinking and communication rather than memorization of facts ?

150. Could providing access to technology in classrooms help improve student engagement or would it just be a distraction ?

151. Do online classes provide sufficient support when compared with traditional classroom settings ?

152. Are there any effective strategies which teachers could implement in order to engage unmotivated pupils successfully ?

153. Should students be taught to prioritize self-care and mental health rather than academic achievements?

154. How can schools help foster a sense of personal responsibility among students in order for them to become better citizens?

155. What are some effective measures which teachers could take in order for students to learn about environmental sustainability?

156 . Does the current educational system provide enough opportunities for pupils from all backgrounds regardless of their socio-economic standing ?

157 . Is it important that high schoolers receive advice on career exploration and job readiness before they graduate ?

158. Are there any approaches we should consider when it comes to implementing early college enrollment programs within schools ?

159. What role does technology have in creating an interactive learning environment in classrooms today?

160. Does requiring community service as part of the curriculum improve student motivation or reduce it instead ?

161. Do standardized tests create an equal opportunity platform as far as evaluating student abilities is concerned or do they overlook individual talents ?

162. To what extent should grade inflation be regulated so that grades retain their integrity and value over time?

163. Is the current educational system doing enough to equip students with skills that employers look for in employees?

164. Should schools implement ways to reward students who are good at teamwork and collaboration more than grades?

165. Does increasing homework help strengthen student academic performance or does it lead to exhaustion instead?

166. What impact can extracurricular activities have on developing social skills among teenagers ?

167. Are there any effective solutions which can be implemented in order for students from lower income households receive equal access to quality education ?

168. How is technology changing the way information is learned, retained and applied by high schoolers?

169. Can high school curriculums be redesigned so as to include courses that teach basic life skills such as housing budgeting and managing finances ?

170. Would mandatory mentoring programs amongst older and younger generations of pupils make a difference when it comes to student learning outcomes ?

171. How do teachers ensure an atmosphere of inclusion within their classrooms without compromising diversity of thought ?

172. Should the school curriculum be designed to include courses that focus on developing soft skills such as communication, problem-solving and critical thinking?

173. Can providing access to event planning experiences in classrooms make a difference when it comes to learning outcomes?

174. Is there any way for students from all backgrounds to receive equal access to quality education regardless of their socio-economic standing?

175. What strategies can schools implement in order for pupils to become better informed citizens with high moral standards?

176. Are there any potential benefits or drawbacks which should be taken into account when considering early college enrollment programs ?

177. Does technology have a role in creating an interactive learning environment within traditional classroom settings ?

178. Would incentivizing teachers lead them to perform better and provide higher quality education or is this an ineffective measure ?

179. Should parents be allowed more input regarding how their children are taught within the educational system?

180. What measures could be enacted so that grades would remain consistent across different schools and regions ?

181. Are there ways we can bridge the gaps between student performance levels across various demographic groups within schools today?

182. Is there a way to make the college admissions process fairer for all students?

183. Do standardized tests accurately measure a student's knowledge and potential?

184. How should schools address bullying in an effective manner?

185. Are there any innovative approaches that can be used to better engage high schoolers with the material they are learning?

186. Should parents and teachers be held more accountable for their roles in providing quality education for children ?

187. What measures could be implemented so as to reduce cheating during examinations within schools today ?

188. Does social media have a role in creating an interactive learning environment within classrooms or is it distracting instead ?

189. To what extent should grade inflation be regulated so that grades retain their integrity and value over time?

190. Would increasing homework help strengthen student academic performance or does it lead to exhaustion instead?

191. Is there any way of bridging the gap between student performance levels across demographic groups within schools today ?

192. Should schools provide more student-led clubs to foster creativity and innovation?

193. What strategies should be used to reduce the amount of standardized testing in school curriculums?

194. How can teachers ensure that learning takes place without making it a boring experience for students?

195. Is there a way to make the college admissions process easier and less stressful for all students?

196. Are there any potential drawbacks or benefits associated with homeschooling ?

197. To what extent should schools include extracurricular activities when it comes to assessing student performance ?

198. Can technology help us create interactive classrooms that are conducive to learning and engagement ?

199. To what extent do public schools need reform in order to meet changing societal needs across different generations ?

200. What strategies could be implemented so as to better prepare high school graduates for the working world they will face upon graduation ?

201 .Are there any effective ways we can use technology in order not just teach but also inspire pupils within our classrooms today ?

202. Should the government provide free college tuition for all students?

203. Are there any methods that could be used to make online learning more engaging and effective?

204. How can we better measure student success without relying solely on grades ?

205. What policies should be implemented in order to reduce the amount of cheating during examinations within schools today ?

206. Is there a way to make extracurricular activities more accessible and affordable across different demographics?

207. Should parents have an option when it comes to opting out of teaching certain topics due to personal beliefs or convictions?

208. Would incentivizing teachers lead them to perform better and provide higher quality education or is this an ineffective measure ?

209 .How should schools address racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination in an effective manner ?

210 .What measures can be taken so as ensure that every child has access to quality education regardless of their financial background?

211 .Should physical education classes receive equal weighting when compared with core academic subject areas like math, science & language arts?

212. Should schools offer more comprehensive mental health support services to students?

213. Can technology help bridge the gaps between student performance levels across demographic groups?

214. Is there any way of making college admissions fairer and less competitive?

215. To what extent should financial literacy be incorporated into school curriculums today ?

216. What can be done in order to ensure that teachers have better access to quality educational resources within their classrooms ?

217. Are standardized tests an effective measure of judging a student's academic ability or potential ?

218 .What strategies could be implemented so as to reduce the amount of bullying and harassment faced by high school students today ?

219 .Should we limit the number of extracurricular activities offered at our schools in order for us to focus on academics instead?

220 .How should social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram & Twitter be monitored by parents and educators when used by children/students ?

221 .Are there any measures that could be taken so as to make online testing secure from cheating and fraudulence?

222 .To what extent does peer pressure negatively affect high schoolers'

223. What can be done to make sure that students in rural areas have access to the same educational opportunities as those living in urban centers?

224. Is there any way of mitigating the effect of toxic cliques and peer groups on student's mental health ?

225 .Are there any measures that could be implemented so as to reduce the amount of stress faced by high schoolers today?

226. Should parents or schools bear more responsibility when it comes to disciplining children/students?

227. How can we reduce gender inequality within High School classrooms and curriculums today ?

228 .Should all public schools receive equal funding regardless of their location or size ?

229 .What strategies should be used to ensure a safe learning environment for our students even during times of global crisis such as Covid19 pandemic ?

230 .How should we go about making sure that college education remain accessible despite rising tuition fees across different institutions worldwide ?

231 .What methods can be used in order for teachers to better integrate technological tools into their teaching methodology without compromising quality education?

232. Should schools be allowed to implement a dress code policy?

233. Are there any measures that should be taken in order to reduce the amount of stress faced by high schoolers during exams?

234. What role do standardized tests play in helping students earn college admissions and scholarships?

235. Is it important for parents, teachers and the government to work together in order to ensure successful learning outcomes for children/students ?

236. How can we use technology in order to bridge the gap between student performance levels across various demographic groups ?

237 .What methods are available so as to make sure that our students have access quality educational resources even during times of crisis or pandemics such as Covid-19 ?

238 .Should schools offer more comprehensive career counseling services for their students?

239 .What strategies could be used by educators so as ensure better parent-teacher communication when it comes addressing student issues within classrooms ?

240 .How can we distinguish between what is beneficial and harmful content when using social media among teenagers today ?

241 .Should schools incorporate financial literacy topics into their curriculums for high schoolers

242. What measures should be taken in order to promote equitable access of resources and opportunities among students from all backgrounds ?

243. Should universities increase funding for student-led initiatives and research projects?

244. How can schools create a safe space for meaningful conversations about mental health issues among high schoolers ?

245. Are there any strategies that could help teachers better engage their students in controversial topics such as politics, race, sexuality etc. ?

246. Are there any ways of incentivizing healthy habits such as physical exercise and nutrition amongst teenagers across different demographics?

247. How can we use technology to reduce the gap between teacher-student interaction levels in virtual classrooms today?

248. What role do standardized tests play when it comes evaluating the performance of an individual student or a group of students?

249. Is there any way to make sure that college admissions are done equitably even if certain colleges have more applicants than others due to prestige factors ?

250. To what extent does competition within high school classrooms affect how well our children learn complex concepts and acquire skillsets ?

251. Should schools incorporate more experiential learning activities so as to ensure effective learning outcomes for their students

252. Should schools offer more diversified options for extracurricular activities?

253. Is there a need to reduce the emphasis on grades when it comes to college admissions and scholarships?

254. What measures should be taken in order to promote ethical use of technology amongst high schoolers?

255. How can we make sure that our education systems remain accessible despite changes within the global economy ?

256. Are there any ways of making sure that teachers get adequate support in terms of resources, training and remuneration ?

257. Should schools invest more into teaching about personal finance management for their students ?

258. What strategies should educators take towards establishing a safe environment free from discrimination against students on the basis of race, gender or sexuality ?

259. To what extent does social media affect student performance as well as mental health within high schools today?

260. How can we ensure that our classrooms are inclusive and welcoming environments even during times of uncertainty such as pandemics like Covid19.

261. What strategies should be employed to reduce cheating during exams and assessments amongst high schoolers?

262. How can we make sure that our classrooms are supportive and equitable spaces for students of all backgrounds?

263. Are there any measures that could help reduce the level of stress experienced by teenagers across different demographics ?

264. Should states increase funding towards developing better infrastructure within schools so as to ensure adequate resources for teachers & students?

265. In what ways can educators encourage greater civic engagement among high schoolers today?

266. How can we improve the quality of education provided at public institutions while also reducing its costs ?

267. Is there a need to modify the existing grading system so as to make it more accurate when it comes evaluating student performance ?

268. To what extent do extracurricular activities play a role in helping teens develop important skillsets & knowledge ?

269. How can parents, teachers, and administrators work together in order to promote positive mental health outcomes amongst high schoolers

270. How can robotics & automation help high schoolers develop skillsets for the 21st century workplace?

271. Should schools incorporate more learning activities that are based on real world problems?

272. What measures should be taken to promote gender equality in terms of academic opportunities within high schools today ?

273. Are there any feasible solutions to make sure our students are adequately prepared for college admissions tests such as SAT and ACT?

274. What strategies could be employed to reduce the cost of textbooks and educational materials so as to make them accessible to a wider range of students?

275. How can technology enable educators in providing tailored instruction plans that meet the different needs of their students ?

276. Is there a need for introducing an ethics class in all high schools in order to foster meaningful conversations about morality, justice, and equity?

277. Can we use artificial intelligence (AI) tools within classrooms today so as to optimize individualized learning experiences ?

278. What measures should teachers take towards tackling plagiarism amongst their students effectively ?

279. In what ways can parents provide support when it comes motivating their children academically without putting too much pressure on them?

280. Should schools offer more financial support for low-income students?

281. Can we make the curriculum in high schools more relevant to real-world needs?

282. How can technology be used as a tool in classrooms to help foster collaboration amongst learners?

283. Is there a need to introduce new forms of assessment such as portfolios and projects in order to accurately evaluate student performance?

284. To what extent does standardized testing affect the quality of education within our high schools today ?

285. What strategies should educators employ towards combating cyberbullying among teenagers today?

286. Should states adopt legislation that supports increased period lengths so that students have more time during classes to engage with course material in greater detail ?

287. Are there any measures that could improve teacher retention rates across different demographics & regions within the US ?

288. How can we ensure our classrooms are safe spaces where all students feel comfortable enough to express their opinions without fear or judgement ?

289. Does an increase in school funding lead directly result into improved academic performance amongst students at public institutions ?

290. How can we promote meaningful conversations around difficult topics such as racism, sexism, and homophobia in high schools today?

291. Is the current college admissions process fair enough to give students from all backgrounds equal opportunities ?

292. Should states invest more into vocational training programs so that teens have a wider range of career options available to them after graduation ?

293. What measures should be taken in order to increase parental involvement within their teenage children's lives beyond academics?

294. Are there any feasible solutions towards reducing drop-out rates among high schoolers?

295. Can we use technology effectively when it comes inspiring our teens towards great life goals & ambitions?

296. Do alternative forms of education such as home schooling offer definite benefits over traditional classroom instruction for some students ?

297. To what extent has technology changed the way teachers interact & engage with their students in classrooms today ?

298. How do educators foster critical thinking amongst their teenage learners without imposing too much pressure on them academic performance wise?

299. Should standardized testing be eliminated from schools to give students more opportunities for creativity?

300. Can we make the curriculum in high school contribute more towards preparing students for the future job market?

301. How can states invest in resources that promote healthy mental health amongst teenagers today ?

302. Are there any ways of increasing access to digital learning materials without compromising on educational standards?

303. Is it possible to reduce homework load and still maintain a rigorous academic program in high schools ?

304. What strategies can teachers employ to help their struggling learners overcome academic challenges ?

305. Should parents also bear responsibility when it comes teaching values such as respect, honesty, and integrity at home?

306. Can technology tools be used effectively within classrooms so as to provide personalized instruction plans?

307. Is online education the best way forward towards achieving equity & excellence in education today ?

308. Should students be allowed to use their phones in class for educational purposes?

309. Are all-girls schools more beneficial than coeducational institutions?

310. Does the current school system limit creativity and innovative thinking among young learners?

311. Is there a need for increased regulation of private schooling systems so as to ensure equity & excellence in education?

312. What measures can be taken in order to make physical education classes more fun and engaging for high schoolers?

313. To what extent can teachers use traditional storytelling techniques when it comes teaching complex subjects such as mathematics or sciences ?

314. How do we address issues arising from overcrowded classrooms that inhibit teacher-student communication & engagement with course content ?

315. How should educators tackle drug abuse amongst teens without compromising on student privacy rights ?

316. Can technology help enhance our ability to teach difficult concepts such as abstract reasoning, problem solving and critical thinking ?

317. Should states adopt legislation which discourages teenage pregnancy through sex education programs offered at high schools throughout the country ?

318. Do modern day activities such as video gaming offer developmental benefits that are often

319. Should students be encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities in order to develop their communication & leadership skills?

320. Is the current system of standardized testing fair enough towards minority & underprivileged communities?

321. Are there any effective methods of teaching ethical decision-making among teenagers ?

322. What are some ways we can promote healthy competition without making it overly competitive or cruel at schools ?

323. Can the use of technology within classrooms improve student engagement and learning outcomes?

324. How can educators effectively address cyberbullying amongst students today with minimal disruption for classes ?

325. To what extent should parents be allowed to monitor their children's online activity when it comes to school work assignments, tests & exams etc.?

326. Do afterschool programs offer tangible benefits that impact both academic performance and well being amongst high schoolers ?

327. Does the legalization of marijuana have an effect on student behaviour and attitudes towards drug abuse in general?

328. Are there any strategies for reducing teenage crime rates in a given community beyond law enforcement measures alone?

329. Should students be encouraged to take part in political debates and campaigns within their communities?

330. Is the current educational curriculum adequate enough for providing a holistic learning experience to high schoolers ?

331. What are some of the best teaching practices that can help develop strong critical thinking skills among students?

332. How should educators approach controversial topics such as religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation when teaching high schoolers?

333. Is there evidence that homeschooling has any effect on academic performance or personal growth amongst teens ?

334. Can young learners benefit from internships & apprenticeships programs offered by companies in their respective areas?

335. Are there methods teachers can adopt so as to better motivate underperforming students with special needs while still maintaining classroom discipline?

336. Should all states have strict policies regarding underage drinking & drug use both within schools and outside of them ?

337. Does student participation in art projects improve cognitive development such as problem solving, memory recall & creativity ?

338. What measures can be taken towards helping teenage parents balance attending classes with raising children successfully?

339. Are there any cultural implications on the learning process for teenagers from diverse backgrounds ?

340. Can teenage volunteering positively influence their social and emotional development?

341. Is it possible to create a safe environment in schools where students can freely express themselves without fear of discrimination?

342. Should classes be scheduled differently so as to allow more time for independent study or extracurricular activities?

343. Does peer pressure have an impact on academic performance amongst high schoolers ?

344. Do standardized tests adequately assess the knowledge & skills of teens while preparing them for college studies ?

345. How could education reform effectively address growing student loan debt among young adults?

346. Is there any evidence that shows how physical activity such as sports, exercise etc. is beneficial to cognitive functioning among teens? ‐

347. What are some effective ways in which teachers can engage with parents better when addressing issues faced by students at school?

348. Does participation in community service projects help develop altruism within teenagers’ social circle and beyond ?

349. Should students be taught financial literacy from a young age in order to prevent them from making costly mistakes with their money?

350. Is there enough emphasis on practical skills such as coding, robotics etc. in high school curriculums?

351. Are online classes & virtual learning environments an effective way of teaching teenagers?

352. How can schools best address the issue of bullying among students and what steps should be taken for prevention ?

353. Can restorative justice approaches significantly reduce student suspensions & expulsion rates within schools ?

354. What are some of the ways that parents can better support their children throughout the transition into high school? ‐

355. In what ways could meditation and mindfulness practices improve academic performance amongst high schoolers ?

356. Does parental involvement have any significant impact on teenage behavior related to drug or alcohol abuse?

357. To what extent does technology influence how teens interact with each other both inside and outside school grounds?

358. Do teachers need additional resources/training when it comes to addressing mental health issues amongst their students ?

359. Should there be stricter regulations in regards to the information that is sha

360. Are there any advantages to teaching students with a blended approach of online and physical classes?

361. Is social media use beneficial or detrimental to teenagers’ development & wellbeing?

362. What precautions should schools take in order to ensure student safety on campus?

363. How could introducing vocational courses help high schoolers gain skills for their future jobs ?

364. Does the current education system allow for equal opportunities for all students regardless of socio-economic backgrounds ?

365. Have digital devices and technology caused an increase in attention span issues amongst teens?

366. In what ways can career guidance counselors better assist teenage students make well informed decisions about their educational paths ?

367. What are some effective methods teachers can use when it comes to imparting knowledge as well as inspiring curiosity among high schoolers ?

368. Should the government enforce stricter laws and regulations regarding student safety in high schools?

369. Is it necessary for young people to learn a second language from an early age?

370. What are the long-term effects of sleep deprivation among teenagers?

371. How has social media changed communication dynamics between teens & their peers/family members ? ‐

372. Do standardized tests accurately measure the knowledge & skills acquired by students during their high school years ?

373. Are extracurricular activities beneficial to a student's academic performance and personal development ?

374. To what extent can technology assist with personalized learning experiences in order to better facilitate understanding amongst teenage students? ‐

375. Is there any benefit of introducing longer summer breaks into high school curriculums ?

376. Does interdisciplinary teaching have any positive effect on teen engagement within classrooms ?

377. Can increasing awareness about mental health issues help reduce stigma faced by those seeking help or support at school?

378. Should the legal drinking age be lowered for high school students?

379. Are there any effective ways to address bullying in schools?

380. How do dress codes impact teenagers’ self-expression?

381. What can be done to reduce the number of dropouts in high schools?

382. Can we use technology as a tool for teaching critical thinking skills to teens?

383. Is it necessary to maintain strict gender roles when it comes to academic activities amongst teenage students ?

384. Do standardized tests have any value when assessing student performance & should they continue being used ? ‐ ‐

385. In what ways could developing countries benefit from introducing programs that encourage girls' education in secondary schools ? ‐

386. Are there any innovative methods teachers could utilize in order to promote healthy competition amongst their pupils ? ‐

387. How much of an influence does socio-economic status play on educational outcomes among teenage students worldwide?

388. Is media literacy an important skill for teenagers to learn in order to combat the negative effects of fake news?

389. Should there be stricter laws concerning food labeling and ingredients in school cafeterias?

390. What are some effective methods parents can use when it comes to monitoring their teen's internet usage & digital footprints ?

391. Can video games have a positive impact on teen learning outcomes ?

392. Are standardized tests necessary for universities/colleges admissions and should they continue being used ?

393. How could introducing budgeting courses help high schoolers understand personal finance & money management better ?

394. What measures can teachers take in order to create a more inclusive classroom environment among teenage students?

395. Is there any benefit of increasing recess times for high schools students & could it improve concentration levels during classes?

396. Should students be allowed to choose the topics they want to learn in school?

397. Are religious holidays important enough to be taken off from school?

398. Is it necessary for young people to have a basic understanding of coding and programming languages?

399. Can technology help reduce the amount of cheating on tests/assignments within high schools ? ‐

400. What are some effective ways parents can use when it comes to monitoring their teen's mental health & well-being ?

401. How can we foster better relationships between teachers, students, and parents in order to create a more productive learning environment for teens? ‐

402. Does using smartphones during classes really have any negative effects on student engagement & concentration levels ?

403. To what extent should educational institutions introduce courses that emphasize financial literacy amongst teenage students ? ‐ ‐

404. Should there be stricter regulations regarding student safety in high schools?

405. Do standardized tests accurately measure the knowledge & skills acquired by teenagers during their high school years?

406. Should social media be regulated to prevent cyberbullying amongst high school students?

407. Is it necessary to have stricter regulations regarding the use of cellphones in classrooms?

408. Are there any effective ways educators can reduce educational inequality between low-income and affluent communities ? ‐

409. What strategies or activities could teachers utilize in order to facilitate meaningful conversations during class discussions ? ‐

410. Could introducing courses related to mental health awareness help teenage students cope with stress & anxiety better?

411. Does student participation and engagement decrease when laptops are used for coursework ? ‐ ‐ What is the value of learning a foreign language in secondary schools, should it still be mandatory ?

412. How can teenagers become more civically engaged within their own community & political environment ?

413. Are standardized tests necessary for universities/colleges admissions and should they continue being used? ‐

414. Should technology companies take responsibility for data privacy issues among young people online? ‐

415. Should students be able to pick their own topics within school curriculums?

416. Is homework a necessary part of the learning process or an outdated practice?

417. How could introducing courses focused on personal development help teenagers reach their full potential?

418. What are some effective methods parents can use when it comes to monitoring their teen's internet usage & digital footprints ?

419. Can video games have a positive impact on teen learning outcomes ?

420. Are standardized tests necessary for universities/colleges admissions and should they continue being used ?

421. How could introducing budgeting courses help high schoolers understand personal finance & money management better ?

422. What measures can teachers take in order to create a more inclusive classroom environment among teenage students?

423. Is there any benefit of increasing recess times for high schools students & could it improve concentration levels during classes?

424. Is it beneficial to introduce a more active learning environment for teens?

425. Does homeschooling offer better opportunities for high school students?

426. Should schools relax their dress codes to create a more inclusive teaching environment?

427. What are the benefits and drawbacks of offering free public college tuition & education reform ?

428. Should technology companies take responsibility for data privacy issues among young people online ?

429. Are there any effective ways educators can reduce educational inequality between low-income and affluent communities ?

430. What measures can teachers take in order to create a more inclusive classroom environment among teenage students ?

431. To what extent should educational institutions introduce courses that emphasize financial literacy amongst teenage students ?

431. Should social media be regulated to prevent cyberbullying amongst high school students ?

432. How could introducing budgeting courses help high schoolers understand personal finance & money management better?

433. Should schools offer more flexibility in course options for their students?

434. Should technology companies take responsibility for data privacy issues among young people online?

435. What strategies or activities could teachers utilize in order to facilitate meaningful conversations during class discussions ?

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84 comments.

Thank you so much. This has truly helped me in my exams and throughout the beneficial journey of my school year.

Ellen Davis

How will I be able to check my work, when I print it out to work on them? Where are the answers?

I guess it depends on what you are working on. On what are you working?

Kareema Coles

Ummm the pdf version is not working…is the link still valid?

Which link?

This is an amazing website with fabulous ideas and printable ready to go lessons!!! Thank you so much! I wish I could meet you!!!

Thank you very much for this amazing resource and great ideas. They are extremely comprehensive and well designed. Thank you very much for your kind consideration and not adding a Price-tag to your valuable resources. Highly appreciated.

Sandra Conner

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your work with us. As teachers, we are always in need of fresh material. I teach college level creative writing classes, and your worksheets help my students. Sometimes I change the essay topics to fit their particular age group or interest, but having these examples laid out for us and made available for use in our classrooms is wonderful.

Lifesaver! Thank you for the great ideas and guidance. I am a new teacher, and finding this site has made a true turn around in my instruction. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Thank you for these great step by step resources

Macca Malbrán

Despite all the negative comments above, you should keep up for the ones (like me) who are absolutely grateful for these material.

Thanks for sharing! Best.

I give this website 3stares only for the info but in general 1star

I give your comment 0 stars because your position lacks support or evidence of any kind. Complete some of these worksheets and begin your argument again.

that’s stupid from where do u get the worksheets

I wrote them.

I did not see any activities that required the student to write an entire essay.

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/writing/persuasive-essay-topics/

Lamar Mohamed

Thank you for this information! They helped me in my exam so much!

These are fantastic resources! Thank you so much for sharing them. I only wish I had found them earlier in the school year!

There’s always next year…

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Public Speaking Activities for Secondary Students

Public speaking activities should engage secondary speakers & create classroom community. These free public speaking activities are in a speech activity PDF. Looking for speech activities for high school students? Try these interactive & scaffolded public speaking lessons for high school language arts classes. Add these speech activites to your high school English classes or public speaking unit.

Read on for six public speaking activities. Then, sign up for a free download of the activities that you can hopefully use in diverse ways, even as public speaking games.

I earned an endorsement in “speech” for my teaching license. (I’m in Illinois.) In college, I took extra communication courses and observed high school speech classes. Plenty of my extracurricular activities (plus my classes) required me to prepare and deliver speeches. When I started teaching, I had experienced public speaking activities as a student and a teacher observer.

Still, I felt underprepared to teach public speaking. I had zero speech activities for high school students. My first year of teaching, I thought materials were lacking on the Internet, from textbooks, from anywhere (and I searched). This was pre-TpT and I was sinking or swimming. My textbook for the class was about sixty years old, and I had no teacher edition.

That first year I did lots of paddling, but over the years I grew confident in teaching a speech class. I developed fun impromptu speech activities and other speech activities for high school students.

That isn’t to say that I didn’t make mistakes ; I made plenty. Through messy lessons, too-short of lessons, and confused students, I learned to provide structure for students without squashing them. I realized how much preparation was needed. I changed basic rubrics to rubrics that encouraged students to set goals and take ownership of their improvement. Scaffolding and modeling became part of my class.

So! I improved and reflected. After years of teaching public speaking, I crafted ideas for what would help young speakers. Hopefully, these activities help your speech classes too.

What are some ice-breaker exercises that can be used in a public speaking activity?

Some ice-breaker exercises that can be used in public speaking activities include “Two Truths and a Lie,” where participants share two true statements and one false statement about themselves, and “Would You Rather,” where participants are asked to choose between two options and explain their choice.

What about public speaking games?

Sometimes, structure helps young speakers, so I created these public speaking activities to address common areas of concern with high schoolers. Most students fear the nature of a speech class, use too many fillers when speaking, and focus on one area, such as volume and forget about the rest: non-verbal communication, tone, eye contact, etc.

Through coaching speech, spending many weekends at speech tournaments, and teaching public speaking, I created these public speaking activities. I’ve seen variations of these or adapted these from activities geared toward younger students. These speech activities should work well with high school students, but you can modify them for middle school or college speech classes.

These are included in my public speaking unit as well because they can be used numerous times.

Public speaking activities should address the fillers that creep into speeches. Speech class activities can address unnecessary fillers.

Fillers can distract an audience from hearing a really well-developed speech. First, not all fillers are bad. We naturally pause and add fillers. The abundance of fillers, however, can be distracting.

Sometimes speech students are unaware that they use fillers. Other times, students become nervous, pause, and fill the empty time with a filler. Talk with students about the reasons why fillers occur and if they have a time they rely on one. Showing compassion and understanding about a common problem during speeches will relax students, and they will be more likely to work on eliminating an abundance of fillers.

After showing compassion, play public speaking games to address filler words.

Before starting, choose your topic and write a list of common fillers that don’t positively add to spoken communication: um, yeah, like, uh. Ask students to contribute to the list. I normally write the list so that students can consult it.

Instruct students to speak for 30 seconds (vary the time if necessary) and not use any fillers. Students should realize how easily fillers creep into their speech. NOW! Everyone uses some fillers, and fillers can make public speaking natural. However, too many fillers can distract audiences.

Each student will give a short speech for 30 seconds. The topic isn’t too important. You can choose one for the entire class or allow students to choose.

Students must restart their speech if they use a filler. Some students will try to pause and draw out the speech by not speaking, but most students speak at a normal pace. Overall, the audience is compassionate toward the speaker because everyone realizes the difficulty of not relying on these words.

This activity is perfect after the first formal speech. Students need to decompress, but they also need to eliminate fillers. When I ask students to write goals for their future speeches, eliminating fillers is a common goal.

Speech activities for high school students should work on nonverbal communication. Activities for public speaking can address all forms of communication.

2. Nonverbal practice

Nonverbal communication matters. To help students experience that, ask them to perform an activity where the focus is nonverbal communication.

Students will line up in alphabetical order only using nonverbal communication. I have students line up by order of their middle names since they typically know everyone’s last names. They experiment with different forms of nonverbal communication and have fun. Most often they make a capital letter with their fingers. If some students know middle names, they will switch classmates around.

The real practice is when students realize many of them have a middle name that starts with the same letter. “A” is a common one. Then students must figure out how to communicate the second letters of Aarron, Ann, Alice, and Abraham. I will say I’ve never had a class line up correctly.

This activity is the perfect introduction to nonverbal communication. As students continue through the semester, they’ll be able to focus on purposeful movements that emphasize their points. This nonverbal activity breaks the ice as you start to work on nonverbal communication. I never plan on this nonverbal practice becoming a public speaking game, but it often does.

Activities for public speaking can be simple. Add the power of one to your public speaking lesson plans. Speech activities for high school students can be used throughout the semester.

3. One goal

Speeches can overwhelm students. Help students focus on one goal. The best part about the “one goal” activity is that students choose their focus which creates less work for you and buy-in for students.

As students continue with class, ask them what area they see as the greatest potential for improvement. Brainstorm areas as a class. There is no right or wrong! Students normally list eye contact, proper volume level, appropriate nonverbal communication, and natural movement. Then let students decide what they desire to improve.

Students will individually decide what they want to improve in their speaking—they will each have a goal. Some students want to work on eye contact, others want to balance their volume, others want to stop fidgeting. Then I divide students into small groups. Students will practice the current speech they are creating, receiving constructive feedback when they need to correct an action to meet their goal. Their group will also tell them when they did well and moved toward meeting their goal.

(This is a bit like #1 but fillers are such a huge issue with high school orators that it gets its own activity.) I normally do this activity later in the year after students are comfortable with each other. I also don’t do this activity if I feel a class may not give meaningful feedback. Finally, I share with students that improving in an area is part of most jobs. In teaching, for example, teachers often record themselves and reflect on the video later. They then develop goals for improvement in their profession. (Sometimes it is a public speaking goal!)

This activity works well to meet individual goals and to build classroom community. My speech rubrics contain a spot for consideration on improvement of a goal. Plus, the art of reflection will serve students in any field or career, so I stress that message to them. This focused practice works well because it encourages students to work on a goal in which the teacher had very little involvement.

Public speaking activities can be fun for public speaking students.

4. M&M/ Skittles

Who doesn’t like candy? With this fun exercise, students share information about a topic. You’ll get students talking in a low-stress, engaging way.

This candy activity is fun and quick. Bring a large bag of small candies like M&M or Skittles to class. Ask students to take as many pieces of candy as they like, but stress not to eat the candies yet. Pass the bag around. Then, students must tell a fact about themselves for each piece of candy. 15 pieces of candy? 15 facts.

This also works with review. 5 pieces of candy? Review 5 facts with the class concerning public speaking terms. After speaking, students may eat their candy. I’ve used a similar process in other classes to review material.

This activity works well as a review or as a first day of school activity. Students are publicly speaking in their speech class on the first day of school without any feedback or real regulations. Since the process is fun, their first experience in class is a positive one. Plus, the candy aspect lends itself to making a public speaking game.

5. Impromptu

Most speeches in real life are actually impromptu speeches. Interviews, business meetings, and proposal presentations require people to think quickly and to speak eloquently, all while proving their point. Body language matters too!

Activate prior knowledge with a bit of an anticipatory set. Ask students about a time they gave an impromptu speech (even though they did not probably label it “impromptu” at the time!). Most people can relate to the frustration of having ideas but not conveying them well. Many times, people think of what they should have said days later! Students probably face this frustration. Acknowledge that feeling, share they you’ve experienced it too, and supply a solution.

Thinking and speaking on your feet might come naturally to some people. With practice, even those who struggle to articulate their ideas under pressure can improve.

Have students organize a speech quickly by delivering an impromptu speech. Often I would ask a class to write a topic on a piece of paper. (Sometimes I would say that the topic needed to be persuasive or informative—but it always needed to be clean.) Students would write their topic, add it to a box, and draw from a box. The topics were great because I didn’t make them and because students knew they had the potential to draw their own.

After drawing, provide 30 seconds to outline their speech. Then, students will talk about the topic for one minute. As the school year continued, I would increase the speaking time.

Older students who have been in class for a bit will probably organize their speech with a general introductory statement, two concepts, and a concluding statement. (That varies, of course.) If students struggle with the format, create a quick outline they can apply to their topics.

Students enjoy creating their own topics and learn to speak on the spot in a mature, organized manner. At first, students groan about impromptu speaking. This area is actually where I see the most growth. Students gain confidence that they can think and speak quickly, and they start to enjoy the process.

Tone matters! Many adults don’t realize the tone that they convey shapes their communication. We should certainly work with our students concerning tone so that they are aware of its power. Not only can the wrong tone hurt speakers, but the right tone can also emphasize their message.

Define “tone” for students. Brainstorm times that students know their tone has affected them. (Normally students share stories about times they were in trouble with their parents for having the wrong tone.) Then think of times that the right tone conveyed the correct message. Students might struggle to come up with examples for best use of tone. Oftentimes, a tone that matches a speaker’s message doesn’t stand out, and that is probably because the tone was woven into the message so well.

Experiment with tone with students. Put students into groups, and assign a speaker. (Everyone will have the chance to be a speaker.) Give the speaker a list of emotions and a list of generic statements. Then ask the speaker to choose a question and an emotion that conveys tone.

Finally, the rest of the group must decide the speaker’s tone. This opportunity allows for discussion about intentional tone and miscommunication. You’ll want to circulate as students practice this.

Public speaking activities can be engaging and memorable. Students might be nervous about giving speeches, so provide a variety of opportunities for them to practice. As you build a classroom community, these activities easily can become public speaking games.

Work on material slowly and purposefully. By helping students see success with public speaking, they will gain more confidence in your speech class and in life. Soon, your speech activities for high school students will be personalized and fit your community.

As you incorporate these public speaking games and activities into your speech units, you’ll discover that they are easily adaptable. Plus, you’ll find the perfect timing for each exercise. Teaching public speaking requires experimentation and reflection. I hope these help!

Would you like these public speaking activities at your fingertips? Download these six lesson plans (plus many more!) when you sign up for library access.

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100 Persuasive Speech Topics for Students

Homework Tips
Learning Styles & Skills
Study Methods
Time Management
Private School
College Admissions
College Life
Graduate School
Business School
Distance Learning
M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
B.A., History, Armstrong State University

If you are planning a persuasive speech, you should think about a topic that can engage your audience. For this reason, you may want to consider a few topics before settling on the one that allows you to be more descriptive and entertaining.

Another important factor when picking a persuasive speech topic is to choose one that can provoke your audience. If you stir up a little emotion in your audience members, you'll keep their attention.

The list below is provided to help you brainstorm. Choose a topic from this list, or use it to generate an idea of your own. It could even be an idea that opposes the proposed example. For instance, instead of arguing American workers should be guaranteed a three-day weekend by law, you could argue why this shouldn't be the case.

How to Pick a Good Persuasive Speech Topic

Persuasive speeches are generally meant to convince an audience to agree with an idea you present. The topics can range from political to scientific or societal, and professional to personal—or even fun. They can be almost anything.

Just remember, a persuasive speech is different than a persuasive essay because you are presenting to an audience. So as you decide on a topic, think about your audience and decide on a subject matter that will be appropriate, compelling, and engaging to discuss. Perhaps it's a timely issue attracting a lot of news coverage, or maybe you want to be motivational and encourage a healthy activity. Whatever it is, structure your argument with a hook to capture attention , a clear definition of the topic or issue, and finally, your proposed solution or opinion.

100 Examples of Persuasive Speech Topics

Studying martial arts is good for mind and health.
Competitive sports can teach us about life.
Reality shows are exploiting people.
Community service should be a graduation requirement for all high school students.
The characteristics that make a person a hero.
It's important to grow things in a garden.
Violent video games are dangerous.
Lyrics in a song can impact our lives.
Traveling and studying abroad are positive experiences.
Journal writing is therapeutic.
You should spend time with your grandparents.
A laptop is better than a tablet.
Religion and science can go hand in hand.
School uniforms are good.
All-female colleges and all-male colleges are bad.
Multiple-choice tests are better than essay tests .
We should not spend money on space exploration.
Open-book tests are as effective as closed-book tests.
Security cameras keep us safer.
Parents should have access to students' grades.
Small classes are better than big classes.
You need to start saving for retirement now.
Credit cards are harmful to college students.
We should have a royal family.
We should protect endangered animals.
Texting while driving is dangerous.
You can write a novel.
Recycling should be required in the U.S.
State colleges are better than private colleges.
Private colleges are better than state colleges.
We should do away with penny coins.
Fast food containers hurt the environment.
Plastic straws are harmful to the environment.
You can eat and enjoy healthy snacks.
You can become a millionaire.
Dogs are better pets than cats.
You should own a bird.
It's unethical to keep birds in cages.
Liberal arts degrees prepare graduates to be better workers than other degrees.
Hunting animals should be banned.
Football is a dangerous sport.
School days should start later.
Night school is better than day school.
Technical training is better than a college degree.
Immigration laws should be more lenient.
Students should be able to choose their schools.
Everyone should learn to play a musical instrument.
Grass lawns should be prohibited.
Sharks should be protected.
We should do away with cars and go back to horse and carriage for transportation.
We should use more wind power.
We should pay more taxes.
We should do away with taxes.
Teachers should be tested like students.
We should not interfere in the affairs of other countries.
Every student should join a club.
Homeschooling is better than traditional schooling.
People should stay married for life.
Smoking in public should be illegal.
College students should live on campus .
Parents should let students fail.
Giving to charity is good.
Education makes us happier people.
The death penalty should be outlawed.
Bigfoot is real.
We should increase train travel to save the environment.
We should read more classic books.
Fame is bad for young children.
Athletes should stay loyal to teams.
We should reform our prisons.
Juvenile offenders should not go to boot camps.
Abraham Lincoln was the best president.
Abraham Lincoln gets too much credit.
Students should be allowed to have cell phones in elementary, middle, and high school.
College student-athletes should be paid for playing.
Elderly citizens on fixed income should receive free public transportation.
Colleges and universities should be free to attend.
All American citizens should complete one year of community service.
Students should be required to take Spanish language classes.
Every student should be required to learn at least one foreign language .
Marijuana should be legal for recreational use nationwide.
Commercial testing of products on animals should no longer be allowed.
High school students should be required to participate in at least one team sport.
The minimum drinking age in the U.S. should be 25.
Replacing fossil fuels with cheaper alternative energy options should be mandated.
Churches need to contribute their share of taxes.
The Cuba embargo should be maintained by the U.S.
America should replace income taxes with a nationwide flat tax.
Once they reach the age of 18, all U.S. citizens should be automatically registered to vote .
Doctor-assisted suicide should be legal.
Spammers—people who bombard the internet with unsolicited email—should be banned from sending junk mail.
Every automobile driver should be required to take a new driver's test every three years.
Electroshock treatment is not a humane form of therapy.
Global warming is not real.
Single-parent adoption should be encouraged and promoted.
Gun companies should be held accountable for gun crimes.
Human cloning is not moral.
Religion does not belong in public education.
Juveniles should not be tried as adults.
American workers should be guaranteed a three-day weekend by law.
100 Persuasive Essay Topics
40 Writing Topics for Argumentative and Persuasive Essays
Middle School Debate Topics
How to Write and Structure a Persuasive Speech
Controversial Speech Topics
High School Debate Topics
Speech Topics to Meet Oral Communication Standards
30 Writing Topics: Persuasion
Preparing an Argument Essay: Exploring Both Sides of an Issue
50 Argumentative Essay Topics
Impromptu Speech Activities
How to Write a Persuasive Essay
501 Topic Suggestions for Writing Essays and Speeches
5 Tips on How to Write a Speech Essay
50 Topics for Impromptu Student Speeches
Deliberative Rhetoric

Games, topic printables & more
The 4 main speech types
Example speeches
Commemorative
Declamation
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Introduction
Student Council
Speech topics
Poems to read aloud
How to write a speech
Using props/visual aids
Acute anxiety help
Breathing exercises
Letting go - free e-course
Using self-hypnosis
Delivery overview
4 modes of delivery
How to make cue cards
How to read a speech
9 vocal aspects
Vocal variety
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Activities and games
5 fun speech games

Public Speaking Activities

5 fun speech games to build skills and confidence.

By: Susan Dugdale | Last modified: 10-26-2023

There are five public speaking activities on this page, along with numerous spinoffs.

Their principal purpose is to develop speech fluency and confidence through fun!

You'll find they are easily adaptable to groups of all ages and skill levels: from newcomers to advanced.

I've used them all and know they work. People become so enjoyably engrossed in them, they forget to be fearful!

1. Interview Introductions

Interview Introductions are a great way to break the ice with a new group of people. The exercise has them finding out about each other and then introducing the person they interviewed to the whole group.

As it's a lot less threatening or scary to talk about someone else rather than yourself, you'll find people respond really positively as they're generally eager to represent the person they interviewed well.

Image background a collection of assorted postage stamps. Inset of face of a young woman. Text: Public speaking activities: Paired Interview Introductions. This is Mary from Taupo ...

Instructions

Divide your group into pairs.
Each person interviews the other in turn. The information gained forms the basis of a brief introduction speech they'll give to the whole group when the interviewing process is complete.
Ask them to find out their partner's name, where they live/work, what hobbies they have, what their favorite book, film, song...is, what they're most proud of (an achievement perhaps), what they hope for from the class, something funny that happened in their childhood, where they go for holidays, what they think about the latest local issue ... Obviously they can't expect to cover all of that in detail inside the brief time they spend talking with each other. One or two interesting points is enough!
Establish a time limit for the interviews. I've found 10 minutes works well. Keep track of the time and call change at the halfway point, 5 minutes, to ensure both people get an opportunity to be interviewed and to interview.
When the group comes back together the introductions begin: "This is Mary from Taupo. When she's not working for the Social Welfare Department as a community social worker she's collecting stamps. She says part of their charm is that they don't answer back and are quiet!"

2. Image Starters

Image: a collage of 7 images. Text: 40 picture prompts.

Picture prompts or image starters are great for sparking imaginative storytelling and conversations.

Either use my ready-made printable file of 40 picture prompts , (which you can find out more about by clicking the link), or gather up a collection of your own to use.

You'll need interesting images/photos from magazines or newspapers - enough for everybody to have one each and then a few spare.

Place them face down and have everybody pick one.

Using the image as a prompt, what can they share about it?

Questions to get started are:

Where is this photo/image from? (And the answer doesn't have to be true - merely plausible! Encourage imaginative creativity.)
What's happening in this photo/picture?
What feelings does the image evoke?
Is there a season or time associated with it?
What happened after or before the photo was taken?

5 activities using image starters

If you'd like specific instructions for five different activities based around images you'll find them here: picture prompts for impromptu speeches .

They range from introductory 'show and tell', like the starter questions above, to more advanced. There are solo as well as group activities.

3. For and Against

Image: Karl Marx. Text:Religion is the opiate of the masses.

'For and Against' encourages flexibility: the ability to see a topic from opposing sides.

A speaker has 30 seconds to talk 'for' a topic and then another 30 seconds to speak 'against' it.

Prepare and print out a selection of controversial speech topics. You'll need one per person.

Put the topics into a non-see through bag. Have each speaker select their topic when it's their turn to speak.

Ideally what's wanted is at least two or three good points supporting both sides: for and against.

Time the speech. Call start, the half way point and, stop.

Sample topics:

money is the root of all evil
a country gets the government it deserves
' green ' politics are just the current fashion
pets in apartments should be banned
marriage is essentially a business contract
'Religion is the opiate of the masses' : Karl Marx
poverty is a state of mind
euthanasia is unjustifiable
global warming is media hype
cloning animals should be banned
animal testing is immoral

For variation split your group into pairs and extend the time limit to 1 - 2 minutes. One person takes the 'for' position, and other takes the 'against'.

More 1 minute speech practice

For 150 1 minute speech topics with 3 example speech outlines following the PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point) format, the full text of three speeches plus audio, visit: 1 minute speech topics .

Get instant organizers for impromptu speeches

For more on structuring impromptu speeches quickly and effectively go to impromptu speaking templates . You'll find 7 useful speech outline organizers explained (including PREP), alongside suggestions to banish impromptu speaking blues.

4. The Object of my Affection

Image: vintage match box toy truck Text: The Object of My Affection: 5 public speaking activities

Gather up a collection of small objects, enough for one per speaker. For example: a vintage toy car, a can of sardines, a hair ribbon, an old black and white photographic portrait, a pair of baby shoes ....

Put all of them into a non-see through bag.

Each speaker puts their hand into the bag and pulls out an object. Whatever they get forms the basis of their 1 - 2 minute speech.

Ideas to help the speakers get started:

This ... { insert the name of whatever it is the speaker has in their hand } saved my life. It happened like this...
Whenever I see a ...{ insert the name of whatever it is the speaker has in their hand } it reminds me of the time I...
I collect ...{i nsert the name of whatever it is the speaker has in their hand } and this one is the prize of my collection. It used to belong to ...

5. Conducted Speech

This is a group public speaking activity. It is noisy, effective and outrageously good fun!

Select a tongue twister from this page of diction exercises eg. " Sister Susie sat on the seashore sewing shirts for soldiers ".

Divide your class into groups of four. Three in each group will be the speakers and the fourth, the conductor.

The speakers repeat the tongue twister responding to the conductor's direction. He/she can make them go faster or slower, louder or quieter. The conductor could even decide to make it a round by staggering when each person begins!

The goal of the exercise is to practice articulation coupled with vocal variety ie. speech rate and volume.

It also teaches cooperation and focus, or concentration. Let your mind wander, and it's game over! You've lost it, not only for yourself but your group as well.

Swap the conductor role around to give everybody a turn.

Once everybody is familiar with the activity, give the groups turns at demonstrating their prowess to the whole class. They'll love seeing and hearing each other perform. ☺

If you liked these speech activities ...

You'll love my ebook!

28 public speaking games (with many more variations and extensions), full instructions, PLUS printable topic, tongue twister, poem and image sheets.

A complete one-stop-select-print-go public speaking resource for busy people.

Find out more >>

For more freebie public speaking activities:

10 activities for public speaking - a collection of tried and tested speech class activities for middle school upwards
Another 7 fun-filled public speaking games for groups
Improv games - a collection of 5 excellent drama games for groups
Public speaking exercises - these focus on the individual speaker- how to breathe well, stand, use eye contact effectively...

What's the difference between these freebie activities and your ebook?

My ebook contains the best of all the games from these pages and then some more strictly Susan specials, PLUS detailed instructions on how to use them.

You'll find out how to select games for a class, introduce them for maximum effect, integrate them into your lesson plans, and so on.

It also has all the topics, tongue twisters, images etc you need to play available as printables.

It's a one-stop, time saving resource that you'll return to time, and time again. Why not check it out?

Image: cartoon of excited girl. Text: OMG. I love presenting and giving speeches. I was a scaredy cat until I played public speaking games. Now I'm cool with it. Wicked eh?

Your students will thank you for it!

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Delivering A Persuasive Speech

Overview : Students need to understand that how they say something and how they physically present themselves are just as important as what they say. By understanding the dynamics involved in effective persuasive speaking, students will improve their overall confidence in communicating.

Purpose : The purpose of this lesson is to improve students' oral persuasion techniques by understanding the appropriate speaking skills. The lesson is presented in second person, making it more meaningful as a resource for the students, and easier for the teacher to use as a handout.

Objectives : Students will be able to:

Demonstrate the appropriate classroom public speaking and listening skills (e.g., body language, articulation, listening to be able to identify specific examples of the speaker's coordination of talking and action) that would be necessary to influence or change someone's mind or way of thinking about a topic.
Define the elements of persuasion.
Recognize the elements of personal credibility.
Develop methods to analyze other students' speeches.
Understand outlining main ideas.
Create a persuasive speech.

Resources/Materials : Teacher-prepared topics for persuasive speeches.

Assessments : The Class will assess each speaker's performance in terms of voice and body coordination, and in terms of persuasiveness. Each class can develop performance assessments such as rubrics to facilitate this process.

Teacher's Anticipatory Set : During class discussion, define and explain how people make decisions based on what they see and hear. Explain that sometimes we have to use skills to convince others about our positions. Have the students recall and list their own experiences trying to convince their friends about something, and then ask them to share these with the class.

Activities and Procedures: Delivering a Persuasive Speech

The Procedure

Pick a proposition that not everyone would agree with such as: "nuclear power plants are superior energy sources." Write a 6 to 8 - minute speech in outline form to persuade the group.

The Lesson: Your Voice and Body are Your Best Tools

You are a natural persuader! You have done it all your life. Every time you enter a conversation, you engage in elementary persuasion techniques. It is true, that any time you make a statement of fact, you are asserting its validity and assuming that your listener agrees.

This speech goes further than a normal conversational assertion: now you have to assume that not everyone will agree with you from the start, and it is your job to make them see things your way. The goal of this speech is to change someone's mind or way of thinking about a topic. This is not a speech to sell, as you do not ask that the listener do anything except to agree with you or to begin to listen to your way of thinking. Your message is, of course, very important in this speech, but your voice and body language are even more important. Here you will see how your delivery can help.

There are several important aspects of presentation to keep in mind:

Body language - make sure that you have a proper posture. If your shoulders are sagging and your legs are crossed, you will not appear as being sincere and people just will not accept your message.
Articulation - articulation means how your total vocal process works. There are several steps to this entire process. First, you need air from the lungs, your vocal cords in your larynx must be working, your mouth and tongue must be in sync, and you have to make sure that you have got some saliva in your mouth to keep things oiled. You should be aware of your physical makeup to be able to understand how you speak.
Pronunciation - pronounce each word. Avoid slang, except to make a point, and do not slur your words. Avoid saying, "you know."
Pitch - pitch refers to the highs and lows of your voice. Whatever you do, avoid a monotone!
Speed - your speed, or pace, is an important variable to control. Between 140-160 words per minute is the normal pace for a persuasive speech. Any faster and you may appear to be glib; any slower and you sound like you are lecturing. If you are not sure about your speed, tape yourself for one minute and then replay it and count the number of words you used in the minute! The human ear and brain can compile and decode over 400 spoken words per minute, so if you are going too slow your listeners' minds are going to start to wander as the brains finds other ways to keep themselves occupied.
Pauses - the pause, or caesura, is a critical persuasive tool. When you want to emphasize a certain word, just pause for one second before; this highlights the word. If you really want to punch it, pause before and after the word!
Volume - volume is another good tool for persuasive speech, but you should use it with caution. If you scream all the way through your speech, people will become accustomed to it and it will lose its effectiveness. On the other hand, a few well-timed shouts can liven up the old speech! Try to "project" or throw your voice out over the entire group - speak to the last row.
Quality - quality of voice is gauged by the overall impact that your voice has on your listeners. Quality of voice is the net caliber of your voice, its character and attributes. Try to keep your vocal quality high; it is what separates your voice from everyone else's.
Variance - variance of vocal elements is your most important consideration of all! One of the most persuasive speakers in modern history was Winston Churchill. One of his most remarkable qualities was his ability to vary the elements of his voice. He would start with a slow, laconic voice and then switch gears to a more rapid pace. People were light-headed after listening to him! Even if you have no desire to run for political office, you can still use the tools of variance. Change your pitch, volume, and speed at least once every 30 seconds, if only for just one word. Never go more than one paragraph without a vocal variance. This keeps your group locked into your speech, if for no other reason than it sounds interesting! Let the words speak for themselves; reflect their nature through your voice. If you use the word "strangle," say it with a hint of menace in your voice. If you say the word "heave," let the group feel the onomatopoeic force behind it. If you say the word "bulldozer," make it sound like a titan earthmover, not like a baby with a shovel.

The Strategy: Appear Rational

When you are trying to convince someone of something, you must first establish your credibility, or in other words, you must sell yourself before you sell your message. If people feel that you are not being reasonable or rational, you do not stand a chance. You must be committed to the ideals and goals of your speech and what you are saying. Do not use words such as "maybe" or "might"- use positive words such as "will" and "must."

You are the authority figure in this speech, so you had better supply enough information to prove your points so that you can seem knowledgeable, and you had better know your material cold. People can usually spot someone who is trying to "wing" a speech. You should also appear to be truthful -even when you are really stretching a point. If you do not appear to be earnest, even if your message is the 100% truth, people will doubt your word and tune out your speech.

Lastly, do not be afraid to show a little emotion - this is not a sterile or static speech. Your body and voice must match the tone of your words. If your language is strong, you must present a physical force to go along with your delivery.

The Comments and Goals

Self-control?

You cannot sit back and let your words do all of the talking. You must use your total self to deliver your message, and this means that you will have to expose a little of your personality to the group. Your group will be supportive.

The Group Reaction

The group has two major criteria to consider after each member's speech. First, the delivery. Were the speaker's body, words, and actions in synchronization and harmony? Did one support the other or was there tension between the body and the voice? Secondly, were you persuaded? Why or why not? Discuss what makes a persuasive speech work and how the intangibles effect a positive outcome.

Contributed by: Douglas Parker

85 Funny Persuasive Speech Topics For High School Students

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people”

These words by the renowned comedian Victor Borge clearly highlight the power of using humor to bring people together. When it comes to persuasive speeches, incorporating a touch of humor can make all the difference. Humor captures the attention of people and connects with them on a personal level which helps make a lasting impression, fulfilling the purpose of a persuasive speech.

In this blog post, you’ll find a list of funny persuasive speech topics for high school students to help them learn how to use the power of humor to engage the audience while giving a presentation or a speech. Get ready to unleash your inner comedian, challenge the status quo, and inspire laughter while making a compelling point. Remember, my fellow mischief-makers, humor is the secret weapon that can transform any persuasive speech into a rip-roaring adventure. So buckle up, hold onto your funny bones, and let’s embark on this laughter-filled journey of persuasive mischief!

Funny persuasive speech topics for high school students

Why cats make better pets than dogs
The benefits of procrastination
The art of being awkward
Why pizza should be considered a vegetable
The joys of being a couch potato
Why Mondays should be eliminated
The secret to being a professional video game player
The importance of napping in school
The perks of being short
The art of taking the perfect selfie
Why chocolate should be its own food group
The benefits of wearing mismatched socks
The science behind laughter
How to win an argument even when you’re wrong
The best excuses for not doing homework
The joys of eating dessert first
How to become an expert at taking naps
The magic of duct tape
The importance of wearing pajamas to school
The secret to being a professional procrastinator
The art of making funny faces in the mirror
Why school should start at noon
The benefits of laughing at your own jokes
The joys of eating breakfast for dinner
The science of funny pick-up lines
How to survive a boring class
The importance of having a good sense of humor
The perks of being a class clown
The secret to winning an argument with your parents
The art of making funny noises
Why wearing pajamas all day is fashionable
The benefits of watching cat videos on YouTube
The joys of talking to yourself
The science behind funny dance moves
How to become an expert at using emojis
The importance of having a funny ringtone
The perks of having a messy room
The secret to writing a funny persuasive speech
The art of telling cheesy jokes
Why sarcasm is the best form of communication
The benefits of having a funny nickname
The joys of eating dessert for breakfast
The science behind funny internet memes
How to survive a zombie apocalypse with humor
The importance of laughing at your own mistakes
The perks of having a funny voice
The secret to making your teacher laugh
The art of creating funny prank videos
Why bad puns are actually good
The benefits of using funny GIFs in conversations
The joys of making funny faces behind people’s backs
The science behind funny YouTube videos
How to become an expert at making funny animal sounds
The importance of having a funny alarm clock
The perks of having a funny email signature
The secret to making people laugh without saying a word
The art of writing funny captions for Instagram photos
Why awkward moments make the best memories
The benefits of using funny memes in school presentations
The perks of having a funny voicemail message
The secret to making funny faces in class without getting caught
Why laughing at yourself is a sign of confidence
The benefits of having a funny signature move
The joys of eating ice cream in the winter
The importance of having a funny desktop wallpaper
The perks of having a funny profile picture
The secret to making people laugh through written communication
The art of delivering a funny introduction
The benefits of starting a laughter club in school
The joys of creating funny doodles in class
How to become an expert at telling funny anecdotes
The secret to making funny faces in photos without looking awkward
Why telling jokes during presentations can improve your grades
The benefits of using humor to diffuse tense situations
The joys of making funny voices during storytelling
The science behind why puns are universally funny
How to become an expert at creating funny social media posts
The importance of using humor to cope with stress
The perks of having a funny ringtone for each of your friends
The art of creating funny skits for school events
Why laughing at your own mistakes is a sign of self-acceptance
The benefits of using humor in persuasive writing
The joys of organizing a school-wide prank day
The science behind why funny videos go viral
The importance of using humor to connect with others

How to choose the best topic?

Humor has a remarkable ability to engage an audience, break down barriers, and make your message memorable. Whether it is quotes for seniors , lunch box notes , or reunion quotes , infusing humor can effectively communicate your ideas while ensuring a delightful experience for your listeners.

Now, let’s explore the key pointers to help you choose the best persuasive funny topic:

Consider your audience: Take into account the preferences, interests, and sense of humor of your audience. Tailor your topic to their tastes to maximize engagement and enjoyment.
Find relevance: Look for topics that have a connection to your audience’s lives. Explore everyday situations, common experiences, or current events that can be presented in a humorous and relatable way.
Combine unexpected elements: Think outside the box and combine unrelated ideas or concepts to create a humorous twist. Unleash your creativity and embrace the unexpected to generate laughter and intrigue.
Balance humor and persuasion: While humor is essential, ensure that your topic still serves a persuasive purpose. Find a balance between entertaining your audience and effectively conveying your message or call to action.
Test your ideas: Share your potential topics with friends, family, or colleagues with a similar sense of humor. Gauge their reactions and seek feedback to determine which topics elicit the most laughter and enthusiasm.

Humor has the remarkable ability to captivate an audience, break down barriers, and make our messages unforgettable. By infusing our speeches with wit and comedic charm, we can effectively communicate our ideas while leaving a lasting impression.

Remember, the key to a successful funny persuasive speech lies in understanding our audience, finding relevance in our topics, and striking a balance between humor and persuasion. Now, go forth, and discover a myriad of funny and quirky topics discussed above, challenging the conventional and inviting laughter into your persuasive endeavors. Let your persuasive speeches resonate with humor and charm.

Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.

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